Some Addiction

   Recently I began to read Among The Thugs by Bill Buford, unlike what I commonly enjoy to read, this book wasn't of my interest, it's not that I don't enjoy the sport of soccer, simply I don't usually enjoy reading about it. Except this book, since the beginning seemed to be an entertaining read. Just like myself the narrator doesn't enjoy going to live soccer neither he gets it, for me this was hooking because I can see now that he will definitely develop his opinion to these games throughout the book therefore, giving me a chance to open my mind to it as well. 

   Before he finally accepts that he quite enjoys the game, he explains to his readers in detail how out of control and jungle-like these games are. What I liked more about the way the narrator explains his experience here was his attitude toward it, in such a way that he made it something you where required to know to be able to go to these games. He introduces the "shove," the "simple squeeze," and the "counter shove." We get to understand as readers, what little enjoyment the narrator expressed here, giving clearly much more importance to the way to survive this jungle, than to anything else. Although he still emphasizes his main goal, and his determination to it, the need to know what he calls "them"' meaning the hooligan fans, the "lads", who as he describes might have incipient epilepsy.

   from what I have read I would say what I like the most is how the author compares his final inevitable like to the game and to the people and to the whole experience with something most of his reader has probably already experienced, connecting with the,. The author says, " It was, I see now on reflection, not unlike alcohol or tobacco: disgusting, at first; pleasurable, with effort; addictive over time. And perhaps in the end, a little self-destroying."

Vocabulary:

Incipient Epilepsy (pg. 20): Beginning to develop abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Swayed (pg. 20): move or cause to move slowly or rhythmically backwards and forwards or from side to side.

Amid (pg. 18): surrounded by; in the middle of.

Mirth (pg. 16): amusement, especially as expressed in laughter.

Lads (pg. 16): a boy or young man; soccer fan thugs.

Flouting (pg. 15): openly disregard.

Bittersweet

   Being Colombian immediately means you are part of a family, not necessarily your nuclear or extended family, but a family much wider than that, the family and culture of Colombia. Although maybe most of us Colombians constantly criticize our country and would probably differ with the positive sides of being a Colombian, we have to appreciate our culture because it is unlike any other in the aspect of unity, family and community. The New York Times article, The World Cup in An Album, shows, in a very specific, detailed, yet broad way how our community works, how unite and passionate we become with something as simple as monas. Unlike many, probably most countries around the world, the idea of the World Cup Album doesn't seem that attractive, yet the fact that for us it does that it over sells, and that it unites us says a lot about our country. Mariano Lopez says, “I’ve seen people of absolutely every age and social class filling the album,” this send off the image, to all over the world that our country is and will always be something special not one that segregates or labels, one that joins. This article describing the phenomenon of monas and albums, portrays the most positive side of Colombian culture and is told in such a way that makes whoever is not Colombian want to be one, and whoever is Colombian proud, and appreciative. Just like finishing the album, as Novoa says it's “bittersweet,” is how Colombia is, we all cant stand it, but when it comes to deep reality, we are in love with it.  

Finally Done Here!

So, you might be wondering what the hell am I doing here, the truth is, with all honesty, I have no idea, and because I am horrible at speaking publically and all of this stuff, don’t expect anything good here. I’m sure we would all imagine that the reason for somebody to be in front of all of you in a day like this day, is because they are either the principal, and inspirational dude who has a lot of inspirational speech things to say, some other important person from the faculty, or of course the valedictorian or the salutatorian or whatever other –torian persons exist. Clearly I am none of those so I am just as confused as you are and well nervous, lets just get over it.

Unfinished. As I was watching another How I Met Your Mother episode for the hundredth time yesterday, because you know, Netflix, I came upon the word unfinished, and realized how unfinished everything is. Even though most of us already want to get out of this perpetuating and time consuming jail of a jungle, just kidding we all love it here right. No but really, even though most of us want to get out of here, the uncertainty that follows, the mystery of what is to come, in relativity with the past, what we have lived through already, it is all unfinished. I’m not necessarily talking about those essays we never really finished, or those senior activities nobody paid for, so never happened. I’m not talking about supposedly going to the gym, or completing those social service hours. I’m not talking about the physics or calc exams, or those classroom without walls trips we never attended to, thank you for that btw, the replacement military camp, awesome, and that place, Multiparque, or Camelot, or whatever its name was, awesome too, I mean all those closed rides where a hell of a lot of fun. I am talking about our lives. I am sure we all want to go back to the bottom of the school, to primary and rub poop all over everyone’s faces, eat everything, and I mean everything I clearly recall grass tasted somewhat like spinach, it wasn’t that bad actually. Or having that wannabe sand under our clothes while playing in that elephant which by the way, has no relation whatsoever to the school, I mean who decided that an elephant with a pointless whole in the middle was going to be representative of out school. Wasn’t the condor supposed to be the school mascot? Although actually that doesn’t really represent the school either seeing as we never really celebrate the condor in any sports event or competition. The school just decided to put it in with some other animals and make a jungle out of it, I mean a condor a hawk an eagle, a falcon, then came the ridiculous osprey we all hated, and well the all famous elephant. Lets not forget those torturing shows teachers made us do each year and perform to parent who always with no fault brought they ridiculously big filming cameras. I mean it was as if our teacher just wanted to have some fun with us little inoffensive kids, putting these big ass ridiculous costumes, full of overwhelming feathers, fake fur or slightly inappropriate dancing outfits. If you think about it, like really think about it, it was kind of infant abuse. What I’m saying is, even though our childhood did have certain bizarre moments, we all want it, and would love to keep on living that simplistic life constantly depending on our parents, and our teachers. I am sure all of us here at least once peed their pants at primary school, probably even elementary school, and why cant we do that now, it was awesome not having to go all the way to the bathroom at the other side of the class so far away, instead just pee where you were, then easily change to brand new clothes, ok now that I say it out loud, probably nobody will really miss that. What I am trying to say is this: our childhood is unfinished, it will always be, and even though we passed through it a long time ago, and even though most of us would probably say that we prefer passing out on vodka instead of warm strawberry milk at night, a part of us still is a child, probably always will be, and surely a part of us will always want to be one. No just kidding referring to that last point, nobody really liked strawberry milk; I’m going to go with chocolate milk instead.

Ok so I’m sure I am supposed to blabber about how this end only marks a new beginning, or how successfully ending high school only means that we have our whole lives ahead of us and a wonderful future awaits us blah blah blah. Know, that might be true for many of us, not necessarily inclusive here, I’m saying this without pointing any fingers, but we all know there is always those people who will never get out of their parents house, or those other people that are already mentally engaged in a one party marriage and their whole life awaits for nothing but Netflix, cup a noodles, and beer. Then again, there are those people we all secretly hate because they got in the IVY leagues, to which we never really even considered on applying, instead we are just here, hoping to get accepted to some small community college majoring in some coerced almost made up study. So probably what I’m trying to say is that although your time of taking care of your kids is almost over, parents, don’t get over exited yet, probably don’t get exited ever, there is no real proof we are ever leaving you guys, even if we get married, just embrace the deed we are in fact unfinished and you will have to deal with us until we are finished, if we will ever be. But don’t worry I guess we will get there. Well, who will ever know, I guess nobody ever is finished right? Good luck.

I guess I’m supposed to say some more stuff that would inspire all of you guys, like that inspirational dude that talks in speeches and is really good at doing so, and actually gets through to most of the people, who by the time the dude is done talking they open their minds to incredibly inspiring ideas for their future, which unfortunately eventually just disappear. So well I don’t know much inspirational talk, I will say this: if you want to succeed in life, in your future you have to be your own g-d damn self, stop copying people and embrace who you are. Also terminate completely that thought in which you are the best, because you are not, and out there in actual life you are nobody, literally nobody, except of course if you end up having a life breaking experience and end up becoming that inspirational dude who makes inspirational speeches, then congrats on that. To end this here, because I know how boring listening to other people talk is, and I know how hungry we all are, I will say this: congrats on finally graduating, on surviving our senior year with all but liberty, and for not killing each other, because we all know that secretly we can’t stand being around each other for more time. Good luck to all of you and I am really looking forward to that ten year reunion, we all know who will arrive in a pink helicopter, who will arrive in a white glittered limo, and who will actually bike their way to the reunion see you soon, or not.

Graduation Speech

Colombian And Proud!

            Gabriel Garcia Marquez, one of the most, if not the most recognized writer in Colombia and Latin America, has filled the worlds minds with his extraordinary and emotion evoking stories, consequently winning a Nobel Price of Literature in 1982. In his acceptance speech Marquez, as he does with no fault in all his written and spoken works, touches everyone’s hearts, proudly representing the culture of Latin America, not only in the present, but also in the past.

            Anyone who has read pieces of Marquez knows how he mixes reality and fiction, just like this, he starts his speech, already catching his audience attention, with the mind catching and hooking picturesque details allowing to depiction every word he says and writes.

            The way Marques poses allusions to other characters and incredibly known and talented writes such as Magellan and Thomas Mann, not only requires his audience to be at the least scholarly and have knowledge of other important pieces of literature.

            The Nobel price winner and proud representative our Latin America, knowledgably references to historical facts, making his audience realize how Latin Americas past full of war, reforms, different political leaders and inner conflicts juxtaposed with the beauty of the nation too, but what is really important is how he emphasizes the reality of all of it, appealing to his audiences pathos, move them by realizing what our nation went through. “Countless daily deaths, and that nourishes a source of insatiable creativity, full of sorrow and beauty, of which this roving and nostalgic Colombian is but one cipher more, singled out by fortune.” The audience, if adequately educated will completely be charmed by Marquez’s words.

Rhetorical Triangle:

Title: Solitude of Latin America

Author: Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Audience: A cultured & knowledgeable audience

Purpose: Represent and show the hard past of Latin America