1. Last 7 days
    1. are conventions in online writing to compensate

      Show me someone who uses... too many... ellipses... and I'll point to someone with living memory of the Reagan administration. Have you ever noticed in social media how people of a certain mentality and generation............ will use way too many........ ellipses... to the point of looking downright foolish?

      Or emojis for that matter, it's like a malaphor, someone just completely misusing paralanguage.

    2. Le mot jihad à la base veut dire lutte contre ses péchés

      Similarly unfortunate in cultural context, one of my German schoolmates' surname was quite literally the N-word. Suffice to say she had trouble creating a Facebook account, through no fault of her own.

    1. love in arranged marriage tends to increase over time

      I'll call bull on that. What Gupta & Singh might call love, I'll call "resignation" or "adjustment" to a cohabitation arrangement.

    2. In China, for example, it is normal for couples to wait until regular jobs have been secured, as well as until appropriate housing becomes available

      Funny how when young people here in the West do this, it's all doom and gloom from the clientelist press, screeching and mewling about "birth rates collapsing" and "great replacement" and other dogwater nonsense.

    3. in the Internet age

      A lot of the sex tourism done by westerners in Asia has this overt connotation, and it's as obvious as it is degrading and culturally insensitive.

      It's also worth noting how a lot of culturally conservative men in the West tend to idealize "submissive asian women" as their ideal partner, precisely due to the stereotype associated with them.

    4. self-disclosure of private information

      e.g. all these posts I keep writing here. Maybe I want to show that I'm doing the homework, maybe I'm spilling my beans too much, who knows?

    5. others view outsiders with suspicion

      In Germany, even in a small quiet village, people looked at me real weird for saying hello or "excuse me" while walking past them on the street. And this is in a part of the country where there's fifty thousand Americans within a 30-minute radius.

    6. marginalized people, including women, see the world differently.

      This often makes it all the more absurd and frustrating when we see marginalized people endorse and absorb the culture of their oppressors. "Latinos for Trump" for instance, puzzle many who don't understand how those people operate.

    7. valley speak

      For those who want to feel a bit better and mock our current disgusting, horrible excuse for a demon wearing human skin, we can always chuckle at how our current Homeland Security Advisor / head of Gestapo Stephen Miller is a 40-year old bald babyface who speaks in a California Valley Girl accent. You can't unhear it now!

    8. The professor sees the situation as an example of individual merit but according to the researcher, the Iranian student draws on the Persian tradition of shekasteh-nafsi, which "motivates the speakers to downplay their talents, skills, achievements, etc

      This in return is a small part of the overarching culture of "Taarof" (تعارف pronounced tah-roff): the complex, sometimes a bit silly but very rich in subtlety and implication art of Persian social etiquette and hospitality, emphasizing politeness, deference, and rank. It's a whole choreograpy of polite, (often insincere but not negatively) refusals and offers, such as refusing food or payment or gifts multiple times before accepting. Some Asian cultures have similar attitudes, but my Persian teachers told me of the wild stories of the lengths people went to insist on being the one to pay the bill at a restaurant or coffee house bordering the levels of a comedy film.

    1. I brought the set of charms to my family’s farmhouse in Ontario at Christmas, when itwas finished. I gave it to my mother, who had been captivated by the miniature chair anddresser. Thus the only extant set of Home Charms returned to my family home, in fullcircle that felt intuitive, though it seems to contradict the purpose of the thing itself.

      I think this shows how Immigrant women hold a lot of values is things they might see as important to their culture, it not only shows they want to be close to their roots. It shows the ways they were able to cope with this grand step of moving into what they believed would be the best thing for themselves.

    2. Traveling in the mind, in small vestiges and scraps the non-human inhabitants of theIrish domestic space might find themselves transposed onto or synthesized with thematerials and spaces available in an American context. In my aligned (or rather,entangled) research on material culture and immigration I turned to the work of scholarssuch as Adam Drazin, whose fieldwork with Romanian immigrants in Ireland has shownhow material objects continue to play an important role in making (or choosing not tomake) migrant homes

      I think this illustrates one of the main concepts shows throughout the article, it proves how immigrants used materialized items to feel as though they were holding some part of their culture within them

    3. I shortened thechain for no other reason than that it felt right. Later, I realized this shortened chainrecalls the smaller, easily concealed single decade rosaries used by Catholics in Irelandduring a time of religious persecution.13 How might this new consideration challengemy initial framing of jewelry and charms as visible and readable symbols of identity?

      I believe this helped show the rooted cultural remembrance of identity and how it never does truly leave an individual.

    4. Glassie describes the joy that the woman of the house takes in the estheticquality of her dresser, which is then reflected back on her and those who cross herthreshold: “the dresser’s beauty is a gift to the visitor” (364). However, the dresser isalso an active part of the household. Its rows of gleaming china, or “delph”, plates andornaments glimmer with associations to friends and family who have been marriedconfirmed, visited, been born or died, occasioning the gifting or passing on of the dresser’scontents. It’s possible that when Margaret thinks of her sister “sitting triumphant there inpossession of all the old bits of ornaments,” she is in fact imagining the contents of thefamily’s dresser (Brennan 19).

      Although it seems obvious, I wonder if Margaret is not only jealous of her sister but if her sister is also jealous of the new opportunities allowed to Margaret. In chapter 6 of our reading it talked about all the hardships of the women even that they had to work to afford their brothers tuition it makes me wonder if Margaret is doing the same for her family.

    5. Sian Supski uses interviewswith women who immigrated to Australia in the 40’s and 50’s to demonstrate how thekitchen became their “home” in a new country, actively designing and maintainingcontrol of the space. They used the kitchen and its tools to express agency and create aspace that to one woman felt like “another skin”

      This shows the main concept that women immigrating wanted to try and take control of at least one aspect of their life. As shows in out reading many women felt as though their house was not their "home"and made attempts to find an area in the house that was of comfort to them.

    6. omething to rememberor understand how it shape(s/d) our movement or experience. The Irish poet MacdaraWoods writes about the experience of seeing farm tools, familiar from his childhood, ina museum in France; the objects are so embedded in his “cosmology” of home that“[his] hands automatically closed on the phantom forms of them; [he] knew themaking of them, their function and purpose” (Richman Kenneally “‘I Am Off-whiteWalls’” 23)

      I think this shows a clear argument that immigrants did not choice on their own to go to the united states. This shows the bodily reaction Macdara had almost embodying what he had remembered from his time in Ireland.

    7. The object causesthe body to move in a certain way, which then prompts the remembrance of taught infor-mation and spiritual posturing.

      Did many Irish women try to use this as a method to remember their cultural prayers and spiritual posturing?

    8. However, Stewart also links our fascination with the miniature to nostalgia, whichshe describes as an “inauthentic” longing for a past that never existed (Stewart 23). Thischaracterization of the miniature echoes the slippage between the role of romanticizedexile – often thrust upon immigrants regardless of circumstance – and the actuality of a(dreaded or dreamed of) departure from a very real space and way of life

      I would like to connect this to the idea that throughout our entire reading, we have consistently seen white men’s ability to overshadow and dismiss the immense displacement immigrants have experienced. From being labeled “savages” to being treated as “the other,” immigrants were constantly denied acceptance. At the same time, Englishmen often claimed ignorance as a way to justify immigrant suffrage and political participation.

    9. Maeve Brennan herself had a complicated relation-ship with the notion of “home,” and recent work by scholars such as Angela Bourke, EllenMcWilliams, and Elke D’hoker has engaged with themes of exile and loss in her writing,with her persona as a “self-conscious transatlantic” (McWilliams 96), who immigrated toAmerica along with her family but was fiercely independent and spent passages of later lifehomeless.

      I remember in our reading for this week we had discussed briefly the conflict that Irish women had faced because of leaving home, One thing I wanted to connect too that is this part of the article. I think it is so powerful they had added that even when women when back to their home they were unable to feel "at home".

    10. Margaret, seems less concerned with the physical objects of household furniture that shehas not been able to bring to America, and more concerned with what they signify, howthey manipulate and determine proper social behavior. Living in a house, but not “womanof the house,” Margaret is ashamed to receive her fiancé at the back, serviceman’s door ofher employer’s home when he arrives to pick her up for a date

      This is talked about briefly in our reading, women did not know when they were allowed to rest and be "free" but I didn't realize the importance of that. If maids and cooks were constantly being "watched" it seems as though they must constantly remain in a professional setting.

    1. We tend to look at a person’s face when we are listening to them. Again, this often makes people feel uncomfortable and contributes to their overall speaking anxiety. Many speakers don’t like the feeling of having “all eyes” on them, even though having a room full of people avoiding making eye contact with you would be much more awkward. Remember, it’s a good thing for audience members to look at you, because it means they’re paying attention and interested. Audiences look toward the face of the speaker for cues about the tone and content of the speech.

      This reading emphasizes the importance of facial expressions in public speaking and how they help communicate emotion, enthusiasm, and credibility. I found it interesting that many speakers unintentionally adopt a “deadpan” expression when presenting, even if they are passionate about their topic. Facial expressions set the emotional tone of a speech, and when they don’t match the content, audiences may become confused or question the speaker’s sincerity. The suggestion to record and evaluate oneself highlights the connection between self-awareness and improving delivery skills.

    1. When memorizing, most people use rote memorization techniques, which entail reading and then reciting something over and over until it is committed to memory. One major downfall of this technique is its effect on speaking rate. When we memorize this way, we end up going over the early parts of a speech many more times than the later parts. As you memorize one sentence, you add on another, and so on. By the time you’re adding on later parts of your speech, you are likely speed talking through the earlier parts because you know them by heart at that point. As we’ll discuss more later, to prevent bad habits from practice from hurting our speech delivery, speakers should practice a speech the exact way they want to deliver it to their audience. Fast-paced speaking during practice will likely make its way into the actual delivery of the speech. Delivery also suffers when speaking from memory if the speaker sounds like he or she is reciting the speech. Rote memorization tasks that many of us had to do in school have left their mark on our memorized delivery. Being made to recite the pledge of allegiance, the preamble to the Constitution, and so on didn’t enhance our speaking abilities. I’ve observed many students whose speeches remind me of the sound of school children flatly going through the motions of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. It’s the “going through the motions” impression that speakers should want to avoid.

      The discussion of memorized delivery highlights how relying too heavily on memory can negatively affect delivery, especially when speakers use rote memorization. This method can lead to unnatural pacing, monotone delivery, and increased anxiety if the speaker forgets a section. The reading emphasizes that effective delivery is not just about remembering words but about engaging the audience through vocal variety, eye contact, and adaptability. Overall, the section reinforces the idea that choosing the appropriate delivery method is a strategic decision based on context, audience, and purpose.

    2. In what situations would impromptu speaking be used? Since we’ve already started thinking of the similarities between public speaking and conversations, we can clearly see that most of our day-to-day interactions involve impromptu speaking. When your roommate asks you what your plans for the weekend are, you don’t pull a few note cards out of your back pocket to prompt your response. This type of conversational impromptu speaking isn’t anxiety inducing because we’re talking about our lives, experiences, or something we’re familiar with. This is also usually the case when we are asked to speak publicly with little to no advance warning. For example, if you are at a meeting for work and you are representing the public relations department, a colleague may ask you to say a few words about a recent news story involving a public relations misstep of a competing company. In this case, you are being asked to speak on the spot because of your expertise. A competent communicator should anticipate instances like this when they might be called on to speak, so they won’t be so surprised. Of course, being caught completely off guard or being asked to comment on something unfamiliar to you creates more anxiety. In such cases, do not pretend to know something you don’t, as that may come back to hurt you later. You can usually mention that you do not have the necessary background information at that time but will follow up later with your comments.

      This reading explains that each delivery method—impromptu, manuscript, and memorized—has specific strengths and weaknesses depending on the speaking situation. I found it interesting that impromptu speaking, although anxiety-inducing, can actually strengthen public speaking skills because it forces speakers to think quickly and organize ideas on the spot. However, it also carries the risk of rambling or overstating knowledge. Manuscript delivery, on the other hand, offers precision and consistency, especially for complex information, but often reduces audience engagement because the speaker may sound like they are reading rather than speaking naturally.

    1. Last, positive visualization is another way to engage in cognitive restructuring. Speaking anxiety often leads people to view public speaking negatively. They are more likely to judge a speech they gave negatively, even if it was good. They’re also likely to set up negative self-fulfilling prophecies that will hinder their performance in future speeches. To effectively use positive visualization, it’s best to engage first in some relaxation exercises such as deep breathing or stretching, which we will discuss more later, and then play through vivid images in your mind of giving a successful speech. This should be done a few times before giving the actual speech. Students sometimes question the power of positive visualization, thinking that it sounds corny. Ask an Olympic diver what his or her coach says to do before jumping off the diving board and the answer will probably be “Coach says to image completing a perfect 10 dive.” Likewise a Marine sharpshooter would likely say his commanding officer says to imagine hitting the target before pulling the trigger. In both instances, positive visualization is being used in high-stakes situations. If it’s good enough for Olympic athletes and snipers, it’s good enough for public speakers.

      The strategies for addressing public speaking anxiety—systematic desensitization, cognitive restructuring, and skills training—show that anxiety can be managed with practice and mindset changes. I think the idea of communication-orientation modification therapy (COM therapy) is especially helpful because it reframes public speaking as a conversation rather than a performance. This connects to the concept of positive visualization and goal-setting, which build confidence over time. Overall, the reading suggests that while we can’t eliminate anxiety completely, we can control how we respond to it and improve through intentional practice and reflection.

    2. Public speaking anxiety is a type of CA that produces physiological, cognitive, and behavioral reactions in people when faced with a real or imagined presentation (Bodie, 2010). Physiological responses to public speaking anxiety include increased heart rate, flushing of the skin or face, and sweaty palms, among other things. These reactions are the result of natural chemical processes in the human body. The fight or flight instinct helped early humans survive threatening situations. When faced with a ferocious saber-toothed tiger, for example, the body released adrenaline, cortisol, and other hormones that increased heart rate and blood pressure to get more energy to the brain, organs, and muscles in order to respond to the threat. We can be thankful for this evolutionary advantage, but our physiology hasn’t caught up with our new ways of life. Our body doesn’t distinguish between the causes of stressful situations, so facing down an audience releases the same hormones as facing down a wild beast.

      This reading explains that public speaking anxiety is a common form of communication apprehension (CA), which can be either trait-based (part of someone’s personality) or state-based (triggered by a specific situation). I found it interesting that the body reacts to public speaking the same way it would to a life-threatening danger because of the fight-or-flight response. The physiological reactions—like sweating, increased heart rate, and shaking—combine with negative thoughts such as fear of judgment, which can then lead to avoidance behaviors. This helps me understand that speaking anxiety is not just “being nervous,” but a complex mix of physical, cognitive, and behavioral responses.

    1. Situé à tout juste 2 km de la cathédrale et du centre ville de Reims

      This is important because it tells me the location. It’s not directly in the city center, but it’s close enough to be convenient.

    2. Mon studio est un vrai petit coin de paradis,

      This phrase immediately creates a romantic and peaceful image. It makes the place sound special and emotionally appealing

    1. The Daughters’ non-importation movement broadened the protest against the Stamp Act and gave women a new, active role in the political dissent of the time.

      I think this is very interesting because its a very bold movement considering it were women to be apart of it.