Blog #8 Second Semester

I have been apart of various different dinners that are different from my own culture. However, the one that sticks out to me the most is eating Lebanese food with my sister's fiancé's family. We have Lebanese dinners very frequently and it is a tradition that we eat Lebanese food at my sister's fiancé's family's house every Christmas Eve. Personally, I believe that I have fit into the culture very well as the food is extremely delicious and as my sister's fiancé's family are easily the nicest people I have met in my life. It is easy to converse and the conversations are not hard to join in on as they surprisingly have numerous similarities to the ones my family have at dinner. I personally feel that I have been assimilated into Lebanese culture after these meals, I only have positive feelings when I eat these meals as the food is amazing and the company and culture is even better. Their family is very kind to include every member of my family in these traditional Lebanese dinners and exhibit much respect. It is extremely interesting to hear of their religious beliefs, customs, practices, while enjoying the delicious cuisine. I am extremely grateful to have been introduced into this new culture and always look forward to a great Lebanese meal.

Blog #7 Second Semester

Before I was first named Chase, there was much conflict deciding what name would perfectly suit me, set me up for success, and identify me perfectly. There were numerous choices that were fitting and nice, but my parents aid Chase had a nice ring to it and had the perfect description as everybody in the house would be chasing me around to come and catch me or get me to do what was needed of me. The story as to why I was named Chase is still pretty relevant today, as I am still chased around the house and nagged to do my homework, chores, etc. Therefore, I personally believe that my name is very fitting and describes me perfectly with a great-sounding name. My name has never held me back in anyway, if anything it has boosted my confidence and made me feel less self-concious. I constantly hear, "Wow, I have never met a Chase!" and/or "Chase is a lovely name, I don't know very many Chases!' This makes me happy with myself and ultimately I have to thank my parents for this name choice. I believe that Gogol finds his name to be such a hindrance because it is so diverse from traditional American culture, which he comes to embrace more than his own culture. He is clearly vexed by traditional Bengali cultures of his own homeland, India and sees that his name is looked at as odd and abnormal. Names are crucial in the social aspect and view in one's life and can have very positive or negative affects longterm. 

Blog #6 Second Semester

My great-grandfather immigrated from Canada to the United States as a French-Canadian around the year of 1920. I never met my great-grandfather and don't necessarily "embrace" being Canadian, however he had a significant impact on my family. My great-grandfather was a magnificent chef and opened his own restaurant in the United States. My grandmother, with whom I spend many summers with, is also a fantastic chef. She constantly cooks for our family and makes me very special recipes that her father taught her based off of French-Canadian Cuisine. Now, a lot of the same recipes that my great-grandfather and my nana prepared are a daily way of life as my mom has learned many of these recipes and cooks amazing food for me on the daily. Although I have never had a deep connection to the French-Canadian culture, I appreciate the time honored traditions that continue in our family on a daily basis. Even though I have never visited Canada or spoken the French language, my great-grandfather and his culture remain deep in our hearts. Tradition and heritage are very important parts of my life as I am fascinated by genealogy of my family and how we came to be as well as numerous cultural traditions and practices that my family honor. My family and I have the same values of culture and tradition. We all believe in honoring our ancestor's roots and traditions because we know how significant these values truly are. It is very important to me to continue our family's heritage so that my kids will one day have the chance to taste the same amazing French Onion soup that I get to eat. 

Blog #5 Second Semester

In today's society, we are most clearly defined by our irrational elements, weaknesses, and cons. Personally, I find this to be incorrect as we should embrace our rational elements, positive qualities, and strengths. However in today's society, it is very common to point out irrational elements and weaknesses in others, speak poorly on those elements and ultimately use those irrational elements to help boosts one's confidence, which is disturbing. An example in my life consists of when certain coaches point out my  cons, weaknesses, and irrational elements in my game and use them to depict who I am as a player. However, this is extremely wrong and twisted, as  these particular coaches are looked to for guidance and inspiration. By coaches trying to "motivate" me through pointing out my flaws and irrational elements, this instead humiliates me and only drains my confidence. Thus, by pointing out rational elements, strengths, and pros in my game, this will motivate me to do my best and ultimately define me in a positive way. Rational elements will always rise above irrational elements, however it is nearly impossible for modern day society to realize and recognize this. 

Blog #4 Second Semester

One contradiction that I believe is relatable to myself and relatable to almost everybody is speaking poorly about someone and then finding it extremely hurtful and/or rude when someone talks poorly about that person. I believe this to be a big contradiction in my life and a contradiction that almost everybody is guilty of. When I talk poorly about someone, I try and justify my actions by remembering what they have said negatively about me. However, this ultimately does not justify my actions and I am not proud of when I do talk poorly about someone. Thus, I have come to try and only speak positively and live by the phrases, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and "if you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing at all". This has allowed for me to only speak positively about people for the most part and allows me to feel proud of my actions and not to be guilty for talking negatively on someone as well as not beating myself up over this contradiction. I know how horrible the feeling of being talked about negatively feels like, therefore this is another reason why I have come to try and only speak positively about others because I understand how they would feel if someone else or myself had said something negatively about them, relating back to the phrase, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Overall, there are numerous contradictions that are very apparent in our lives and speaking poorly about someone and then finding it extremely hurtful and/or rude when someone talks poorly about that person is a contradiction that each person should try and change. 

Blog #3 Second Semester

After having met the delightful Katherine and her strong husband Petruchio in for a session of marriage therapy, I believe that their relationship is extremely robust, strong, and displays numerous signs of promise in the present and for the future. Both Petruchio and Katherine balance each other out and compliment each other very nicely. Whatever Petruchio may say to Katherine, she is submissive and agrees with him, which displays her proper etiquette, loyalty to her man, and numerous other desirable qualities of a female. Petruchio demonstrates a mighty side to him that is controlling and strong, the way a man should treat his woman. However, he demonstrates qualities that all gentlemen must have, which consists of a clear compassion and love for their women. This brings out his soft side and exhibits his devotion for his lady. The advice I would give to both of them is to make sure their relationship is balanced. I believe that Katherine needs to display a little more personality in the relationship instead of being as submissive as she is and agreeing to every comment or idea Petruchio proposes. Pertruchio shows a clear care and love for his wife, but it can be difficult to recognize at times when Petruchio displays his more masculine and tough side, almost seeming to try and tame Katherine. Having analyzed the situation that the two are in, I believed for it to be best to set short-term and long-term goals for the couple. The first short-term goal I have set for them is to address each other’s concerns ore frequently, displaying that they care for each other’s needs in the relationship and demonstrating that attention is a key factor in the continuation of this marriage. Another short-term goal I have set is to communicate in the most positive light and in the most effective way possible. Particularly for Petruchio, communicating in the most loving and caring way may be at times challenging, however if he can remind himself of how much he loves his wife and remembers that he cares about her, he can communicate with her in the best way possible. My first long-term goal for the couple would be to see individually how Petruchio and Katherine want to build their lives. After thinking of their individual desires, they can combine these and communicate on how to culminate both of their ideas and to successfully build their lives as a couple. My last long-term goal for them is to work as a team. Do not let one override another in thought or action and stay loyal to one another. It has been a pleasure working with Katherine and Petruchio and I look forward to my next meeting with them!

Blog #2 (Second Semester)

I believe it is significant for a woman to take her spouse's surname. For a countless number of years, it has been a tradition for woman to take their husband's surname and it should still continue to exist. Personally, I find it perfectly acceptable if a woman does not want to take her husband's surname and if she wants to keep her maiden name. However, I find it a little radical for this practice to create offense among women because it has been a tradition established for an extremely long amount of time and it was created to glorify the inequalities between men and women. Men don't take their wife's surname because it has been an established tradition for ages that a a wife takes their husband's surname. To me, the subject is trivial at best and if a woman wants to keep her surname or take her husband's surname, it should be her choice.