He Will Always Be "The Man" To Me

14- Describe the man who had the greatest influence on how you regard men or the woman who had the greatest influence on how you regard women. What personal attributes attracted you to that person? Have you met anyone or had any experiences that have led you to question your original beliefs about men and women?

There is no doubt that one of the most influential men I have had in my life is my older brother Julio. Julio and I are six years apart and growing up together was a struggle. It was always a struggle because we were always at different stages in our life like for example he was going through puberty when I was still in my childhood and now he is an adult while I still am a teenager. Even though we have a big gap in our ages now that we are older we get along much better than when we were younger. I see my brother as a true man. He is what I look for in my boyfriends and future husbands. My mom always taught my brother what respect and hard work meant. My brother appreciates my mother for all she has done for us and sees the value in work. He is a man who values women and never would vulgar terms to refer to a woman. Julio is the kind a man who is very sociable, not afraid to try new things, and always optimistic about life. The qualities my brother has are things that I look for a man because they show me what a good father and husband really look like. These qualities are still what I look for in a man but are not limited to these I am open minded to other qualities too.

Literatures value on me

In high school the readings we did felt like they were given to us to fulfill public school requirements but in college the professors are given more freedom to what is taught in their course. I have noticed in my rhetoric class that almost all readings are meant to tell us to not forget where we come from, stand up for what we believe in as long as we have are able to back up our argument, and they are more relatable to today's lifestyle. In high school literature was so boring to me that I never seen the point to them but now I have found a new interest to it. I do not know if it comes with the whole college student package but I can actually read novels for my own interest now. I have found great value in my literature activities because in the end I feel like have gained more than just a grade. I learned a life lesson and not through my own personal experience but through the eyes of others who have put it down on paper. Literature to me will never be seen the same it has become important to how my perception of the world.

More Than A Woman

"Oh, girl Ive known you very wellIve seen you growing everydayI never really looked beforeBut now you take my breath away.Suddenly youre in my lifePart of everything I doYou got me working day and nightJust trying to keep a hold on you.Here in your arms I found my paradiseMy only chance for happinessAnd if I lose you now I think I would die.Oh say youll always be my babyWe can make it shine, we can take foreverJust a minute at a time.More than a woman, more than a woman to meMore than a woman, more than a woman to meMore than a woman, oh, oh, oh.There are stories old and trueOf people so in love like you and meAnd I can see myselfLet history repeat itself.Reflecting how I feel for youThinking about those people thenI know that in a thousand yearsId fall in love with you again.This is the only way that we should flyThis is the only way to goAnd if I lose your love I know I would die.Oh say youll always be my babyWe can make it shine, we can take foreverJust a minute at a time.More than a woman, more than a woman to meMore than a woman, more than a woman to meMore than a woman, oh, oh, oh."-More Than A Woman by the Bee Gees
This is the latest song that I have in my mind. I really like this song because it reminds me of my boyfriend and I. Him and I grew up together and just like the songs says he seen me grow up and did not like me very much at all. I just feel like when I hear this song I think of him. I really enjoy old songs like this because they talk of some of the same topics that we do now in our music but it is music with much more than just a catchy chorus.

The meaning of "Puto(a)" varies, based on gender

In spanish there is a word called "puto(a)" which has two different meanings depending on the gender it refers to. If a male is called a "puto" it is as if he was called a fag which can be a very offensive because ot puts down your sexual orientation. Unlike when you call a woman a "puta" it is like calling her a slaut. I really do not have an opinion towards these words but I find it funny how one word can have to different meanings varied by gender. Either way these words arevery strong words. Unlike Beverly Gross mentions that sometimes slurs can be used for kindness I never seen this word used with kindness. Puto(a) is seen as a derogatory word and holds a strong position in the list of many offensive words and phrases.

Who is the hoe?

There are certain words tend to be directed more towards women than men to me in specific is the word "hoe". Hoe to me is a person who goes around with various partners but never really being with one committed person usually involving sexual behavior. Women can be more easily classified as hoes especially when seen with various men constantly and suspicious of sexual behavior. On the other hand if a man is seen with various women constantly he is known to be a ladies man. Usually it is society that pushes these labels. This is a result of women still trying to break free from the traditional woman figure. With men it is accepted to be seen with various women but with women it is seen as if they have no moral values or education. Society outcasts women like this because they look down upon them on the other hand men are looked down upon on but never pushed away or labeled. I personally find it unfair how society is trying to have the whole "equal sex" thing but yet they are the ones who contribute to the gender labels.

I have realized what I have from what I have gained

I think the most important value that lies behind my literate activities is that I been able to elaborate on the readings on a more personal level compared to my high school readings. In high school you were taught to only discover the material that was expected of you to learn. On the other hand college teaches their students to explore all the possibilities as long as it can supported with the appropriate material and without it misrepresenting the author's intentions. Now that I am in college I can see a value in literature I had never seen before. I was not the kind of person who would just pick a book to read for my own personal benefit but now I read books outside of what is required. The quote "you never know what you had until you lose it" falls into play but reversed only that I have realized what I have from what I have gained.

My Long Lost Friend

When I was in preschool I met this boy named Gabriel he was my friend. Our mothers' had become close friends and we use to have play dates together. I remember our mothers always talking about how cute we looked playing together. Gabriel and I always followed each other in school. It was funny how ever since preschool we were always stuck with each other in the same class rooms. I remember one time he had a pool party at his house and I had forgotten my bathing suit but him and his brother threw me in the pool anyways. It was so much fun getting wet, I will never forget that moment. After graduation we went our separate ways and did not see each other again.
It was the first week of school when I had walked out of Walgreen's when I seen Gabriel's older brother Abram. It was a joyful shock who would have thought that we would end up in the same university. It was a very typical hello, we said our "how are doing" questions and exchanged our numbers. We have tended to keep touch here in there. Recently we talked and he told me that Gabriel is stopping by this weekend. I am so excited because for the first time in years I am going to see my long lost friend.