More on Elva

I am such a terrible Elva fan. I haven't posted enough about her on my blog. although, for some reason I can gossip about her all day with my brother. It is probably because I like to annoy him by talking about her incessantly. It is quite funny to see him get mad because he has such a cute face (will have a picture soon).

It doesn't seem that she is doing much lately, at least I don't hear anything new about her. I wonder how her really obsessed fans find out about events or shows she participates in beforehand. Is there like some special club or something that has a newsletter that they send all their members? Actually, I think there are fan clubs, like two of them. Hmm, I'll look into it later.

I wonder what her new book will be like. It comes out in December. Maybe I can get it as a birthday present, haha. I know her fist book was about pilates, so there probably wasn't too much about her in it. I haven't read it. I just know about it, lol. I'm not at the point where I have to know everything about her. I just watch show sometimes so I hear about things but like always too late to do anything. I feel like such a stalker sometimes. Maybe it is just my imagination, which always runs away on some crazy tangent or two. I should stop rambling, huh? YUeah, I'll have to write soemthing substantial about her later. This post got really messed up.

Female Celebrities vs. Male Celebs (Writing Topic 3)

In the media, female celebrities are exploited and sometimes exploit themselves on purpose. Commonly seen on newspapers, TV, music, movies, commercial, etc. are the 20-30 age range. These role models are involved in selling products, acting, singing, and hosting TV shows. Or, older female celebrities put makeup on to make themselves look younger; producers also use lighting techniques and digital enhancements to make stars look better as well. On the male side, lots of younger entertainers have come out recently and have always been much loved in the entertainment business, so it seems about the same. older personalities in entertainment match with older people, but some projects call for one old and one young person to be a pair. This often happens in movies mostly because it is required for the role(s) or the younger lead dropped out because of conflicting schedules.

I think if there is a gender bias in hiring certain actors or singers for certain things, it's because of that person's tealent and not neccessarily with age. Of course, age is an important factor since the target audience in most cases is much younger than adults. Mostly, products that celebrities endorse are for younger teengage audiences so using someone who is around the same age makes sense. Also, companies want to make money, so they pick younger talented people to sell tickets. I honestly don't think it's that bad, since the entertainment industry is just that. It's about entertaining people, so they might as well use good looking people. This is aside from the fact that many of the films and songs made are actually quite creative and good quality works.

A lot of how the public judges celebrities, especialy female celebs, is based on all the negative dirt and propaganda that goes around in gossip rags. Men aren't put on such a heavy stigma after doing something that's socially scorned, like taking drugs or ging out n a heavy night of partying. it's considered normal and the public forgives more easily men than women in these types of cases. Media coverage in both cases is biased because the gossips magazines also want to make moeny, just like film or music companies, so they always try to find ways to spread or expose rumors about famous people. In a way, it's kind of not fair to them but it comes with the business, so they get used to it, I guess. A lot also has to do with maager and public expectations. Once there's pressure to do certain things by the manager or fans or the reporters say something and everyone believes it, then you're bound to believe and then act accordingly. That's why some celebrities actually get caught in the act of smoking marijuana or doing crazy antic, it's because the public wants and expects it so the celebrity does it. It's psychological conditioning except no one ever sees it! We tend to see what we want to see, so we assume it's the way that celebrities really are. Obviously, it's never really possible to know unless they directly say so what he or she is going through. the old saying comes back again, you can't judge a book by it's cover until you've read the book.

What we can really judge about female and male celebrities then, is the way they dress. sure, a certain degree is also chosen by designers, managers, and peope in charge of their image. Most of the clothes for women are revealing. They want to look sexy to attract fans and look good. if you think about though, which woman under that kind of pressure from almost everyone around them doesn't want to look good? Cameras are everyhere almost 24/7, so if I was one of them I'd definitely want to hide in a bunch of cool looking clothes and make up. Plus, they're famous and rich so their life road is smooth as long as they don't do anything too stupid. If you can make 10 million USD a year and have to deal with all these kinds of pressures, wouldn't it be worth it? Lots of people only look at celebrities superficially and don't take the time to see that most celebrities work very hard to achieve the status that they have and keep on going after they reach fame and fortune because they truly love what they do. How many people can say they're satisfied with their jobs?

Writing Topic 1

Women make 85% of what men make, roughly, as one of our readings states. Statistics of women making lower than what men make as well as getting fewer promotions, less in bonuses and benefits have all contributed in what is now called the glass ceiling. Many women who want career advancement can't get it, or they're picked only as figureheads on the board of directors, for example. Why does this type of sex discrimination occur? The answer is simple: power.

Traditionally, the male breadwinner and female as homemaker roles have been passed on for generations. Women were only expected to be good wives, take care of the kids (one boy and one girl, of course, according to the American Dream), and put family over any idea to pursue a career. Men have dominated society for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Historically, men are the heroes of the country, men bring glory to the family, and men now are supposed to provide for the family. Like, Chinese history or Greek and Roman societies. All of them have famous generals or emperors; women seldom appear in the fabric of great men's lives, and if they do it is as their wives or standing behind them. Women aren't seen as the hero. Some people say it's in their blood because it has been this way for so long. Because of male patriarchy then, for it is the society that decides what people do or at least shapes it and most societies even today are male-dominated, women don't have as much experience in the public sphere. At least, that's what seems logical historically in not getting promoted as often, having a lower salary.

Actually, when women started looking for jobs most often were piece-time or part time jobs, since they were still expected to stay at home and raise the family. Isn't it true today? A double-standard of women exists. Men normally just work, but women who work also have to make sure the kids eat well, sleep early, do the dishes, the laundry, almost everything is still the same as when only men did jobs, except even more tiring. They're on double duty every day, 24-7 365.

It's not just the society that is at fault in this problem. If you look at individual women, some think it's normal that they don't get promoted or have higher earnings. Women praise men, follow them and think they're like gods in some cultures. Well, maybe not today's women, since feminism has started working it's way more and more into society. Also, some women are stigmatized by what feminism is about and what attitudes they should have about themselves. They get constantly bombarded of political correctness, equality, rights, terms that are used so loosely now by almost every faction of society. It's hard to drown out the noise and see who is really speaking and what they stand for. Not all women's rights groups are radical, and that is what women of all ages don't discern.

I think all the preaching isn't working, no matter if you're a corporate executive or a bra burning anti patriarchal feminista. If we want sexism to stop in the workplace, it has to start with the kids. If you give them a bad example, then they're going to be just like they're parents and judge people based on stereotypes that the kids have formed based on what their parents do. Behavioral learning starts early, so good parenting is really essential in creating attitudes of how to treat people. As for the people already practicing prejudiced ways of hiring, there should be a program required for top executives quarterly or every month to remind them of what women face in the workplace. If they don't see it happening or let it pass right under their noses because the managers underneath them are hiring only pretty young women or giving top salaries only to ethnic women so that they don't get sued, it's their fault and they won't even know it. No matter what, the way people think of gender equality has got to change. Traditional views of the housewife or breadwinner isn't going to fly anymore. It isn't a question of how, but when people start to see that what they're doing is wrong.

No More Dilemas

I have finally removed all the clouds and smoggy opinions from the very pressing question of what to do with my future. I don't think I should have let so many people influence what I had already decided I wanted to do when I was 14. It's really simple; all I want to do is write. I don't need to do science or business or anything else, even though those fields might be more lucrative. I want to be either a scriptwriter or and editor. Yeah, I want to do completely different things. Maybe write a couple of books, too. Mainly, though I don't want to feel like I am pressured to do what everyone else is doing. Of course, I'll still try a lot of other types of courses while I'm in university to see if I don't like anything else. I'm already to start looking up graduate programs that offer writing or creative writing. I guess that means I should start writing more than I do now. It'd very calming and satisfying to let go of your brain and create something that you didn't know you could do just by sitting and thinking about things with a paper and pencil :)

Sad About Family Tragedy

This weekend was supposed to be a good one. It ended up in a terrible tragedy that could have been prevented. My mother took my brother and I to 日月潭 (sun moon lake) on Saturday (10/18). The weather was picturesque; a calm blue sky and fluffy marshmallow clouds guided our way towards the camp site. Nothing could prepare me for what my mom told me when we were halfway there. She said that my uncle (姑丈) had died in a terrible car accident. He had been drinking and singing KTV (karaoke) with friends after work. He was very very drunk and got on his motorcycle. Then, a perfectly good human being was taken away from loved ones and friends. This man has family in China, since he is from that country. It must be terrible to lose someone close. I sat in the car shocked into silence for a long time after I heard this news. I last saw my uncle merely two months ago when my brother and I went to Kaohsiung to visit my aunt. It is very surreal to hear about people that you've seen with your own eyes perfectly fine and living. I can't believe how sudden;y this happened. I feel very deeply for my aunt because she has always been by my side throughout my life. I wish I can go comfort her soon. Maybe I will go to the funeral next weekend. I guess this is why people always say that it is important to notice your safety at all times. :(

Sigh...another week....

Often, I wonder why I put myself through college. Sometimes I feel like dropping out. It doesn't really seem like I'm doing anything important with my life right now. Everything is so vague and murky. I mean I don't know what I'm doing...

Everyone tells me that an English degree is useless and that I'll never get anywhere in life with one. Then, I say: Why the hell do they still offer it in like virtually ever college, then? They just shrug and attempt to switch topics, which ends up pissing me off even more. Why does college have to be about what you'll do in the future? Why can't it just be about learning and discovering things about yourself? 

Now, I just say I'm going to take business related classes in second semester, and people just nod politely. They say it's good I'm taking something useful in addition to English. I think it's very sad that the value of literature has depreciated so much in our modern culture (pardon the pun, if you know what I mean). It makes me depressed sometimes because I really love to study the classics and their authors. I remember in high school, to relieve stress I would either go play softball or read poetry. Maybe I "doth protest too much," but it is how I am feeling lately. 

It's confusing to find anything worthwhile to do except going to join the Peace Corps or UN and help refugees. Maybe I'll do that after I graduate from Chung Hua. I don't want to be end up trapped in a corporate world that many people are unsatisfied with but can't get out of because they need to make money. I don't just want to get a stable job and make money, that has no meaning to me.  Of course, money is important, but I think I would have to do something I love and would die if I didn't do it or else it would be a waste of time. 

Funny Website

My ex-boyfriend gave me this site today and it is really funny! There's a lot of t-shirt designs and funny sayings, although some of them are a little mean. I especially like the one about the chocolate bunnies! (My butt hurts...what?) haha. He told me I should order one, but I'm not sure, they are expensive. I don't like ordering stuff online too much though. I'm always afraid I'll get scammed.

Not much else now...Oh Elva updated her blog and it is really funny too! She puts pictures on her blog about random things that seems like a bit of a waste of time, though for her I guess it is a way to relax amid her busy schedule. /i think she performed somewhere in Taoyuan last week, but I'm not sure. I wonder if she'll ever to Hsinchu to perform. It's probably unlikely, though, since I don't think there is anywhere to hold the concert, except for in Chudong (is it a 'c' or 'j'?)where there's an outdoor stadium. Even that is a bit unlikely since it's a sports arena. Sigh, I could have gone to see her perform in August, but my brother and I had to go home because we had too much luggage and plus, I didn't know how to get to the school. Haha, but it's ok. I am planning on going to her other concert in June...hopefully I have enough money to go. Oh, does anyone want to go with me ? :)

I Got My TOEFL Scores! Well I saw them online

It wasn't too bad. I hope they come in the mail really soon, so then I can waive some classes or I'll have too much to do. Also, my TOEFL scores will make sure I can actually graduate on time. I don't know if I should say what I got here, since people might think I am bragging. I seriously don't know how I got such a high of a score, because I think at one point I actually fell asleep. It was more like nodding off for a minute or two...ha ha.

The thing I'm really mad about is that ETS still hasn't sent me the paper scores, so I can't go waive the classes yet. I hate bureaucracies, they're so inefficient! It gets on my nerves when people don't do what they say. Grrr!

Independent? Energetic?

I went to an interview with my teacher today. She (who will remain anonymous) said I seemed to be energetic, well-adjusted, and independent. That came as a kind of surprise, as I think that I only act more carefree in front of others after knowing them more. I suppose I am a bit talkative when I want to be and thus seem a bit more relaxed than new students usually are. Other teachers have said that to me too, but I never completely agree with them. For instance, my sophomore English Literature teacher once wrote a comment on my report card that I was independent and was very blunt. Well, in my journals, I suppose I am, since I don't think you should like to people for no reason. Or, for that matter, write fluff and bs your way through life, like some other students seemed to do. I guess everyone has their own insecurities.

Maybe though, I really have changed to become more adaptable to moving around. Let's see, I have moved about 3 or 4 big times that were major turning points in my life. The first time I remember was when I was 8, the year my brother was born (1997). At that time, I must have been in second grade and in the Brownies or Girl Scouts...lol not the ones you eat! We moved to make room for the new addition to our family. Of course the move after that was much more traumatic, which was to Taiwan. At that time, I felt it was very unfair to me to come live in Taiwan. I suppose middle school is not a great time for big moves, especially across great distances. We moved from California, where one gets quite used to comfort. And the other two times were going to Vancouver for college and then coming back, which seems to some people a great waste to my future opportunities. I think it is a good thing though, to be near family and loved ones, although I have to give up some things that in the long run would be better for me. I think I'll end up going to graduate school in the States, anyway, so it doesn't make much difference to me one way or the other.

I'm going to go watch MVs now, since it's long weekend! Woot!! Happy double twin day everyone ! (the few of you who actually read this thing)

Women's Rights in Taiwan: First Impression

I'm going to write something more substantial tomorrow. These are my thoughts about the article so far.

I completely agree that education is the way to go on these types of problems. Once people in Taiwan know the history of women's rights and the kinds of abuses women are victims of, it will be easier as a society to deal with rape or domestic violence more seriously. I took a women's studies course last year at UBC, actually, and it really opened up my mind to the kinds of prejudices and sexist beliefs many people still hold today in many parts of the world. Even in developed nations of the world, crimes against women occur almost every day. For instance, the women's studies center on UBC campus, a place considered liberal and open to people of all creeds and colors, was spray painted and the windows were smashed in a few times a year.

I didn't really know much of women's rights in Taiwan. since the course I took mainly talked about Canadian immigrants and places like Africa and the United States, places we hear about more often when it comes to women's rights. I think it's great that legislators are looking into better ways to handle the injustices that women face, because women's' place in society is important in maintaining the balance of everyday life. Taiwan's patriarchal society is too limiting to the young people that are looking for jobs and creating lives that the old standards of Taiwanese life cannot support. Students should be taught gender equality and take women's studies courses in college. At least, they should take one course about women's rights so that such knowledge can be available and their world view can be expanded. Maybe Taiwan's schools can't force children to learn gender equality, but social reformers should look to parents to rear their children to be aware of crimes against women and the wrong ways that men condescend women, as well as women who accept such crude behavior as normal.