Shooting Dad by Sarah Vowell

Sarah Vowell, the author of Shooting Dad faces the struggle of a relationship with her father due to his extreme admiration for firearms. Vowell, although allowed to voice her own opinion on politics and beliefs (she is a democrat and father is a republican) has a hard time relating to her fathers view points. She loves the arts, he loves guns. Vowell noticed even more of a seperation from her father when she watched her twin sister follow her fathers passion for guns.

Vowell remembers her experience with guns as a child. Her father taught her and her sister at the young age of 6 to hold and shoot a gun. She states that "holding the pistol made me feel small" and that guns were not for her. She describes the experience not as traumatizing but as a lesson learned.

Vowell and her father do have the same passion for "goofy projects and weired equipment." The equipment she is referring to is not a gun, but her tape recorder and microphone. And her fathers is obviously his cannon. Although they struggle with their relationship, they both have similar passions.

Coming Home Again

In the story of Coming Home Again, the author Chang-rae Lee perfectly uses food as a true representation of the importance of family. Lee, and his family are of Korean descent and stay true to their cultural background, including the traditional foods. His mother represents their culture perfectly, by the way she speaks, traditional values and cooking. Food is a source of socialism for this family, conversations are at their peak at the dinner table. While Lee’s mother is terminally ill from stomach cancer, he uses her traditional Korean foods to comfort her. Even though, he knows his cooking will never compare to his mothers, he tries and that’s what makes her happy. Some of Lee’s most prominent memories involve food, including when his mother brought food up to him at boarding school and he missed it so much that he made himself sick from eating so much. Like many traditions and cultures, such as Italians, food is a sense of comfort and family and Lee’s family is no different.

Ch. 47

Chapter 47

This chapter discusses how to construct an argument. A persuasive argument must be backed up with credible information. Therefore, extensive research must be done prior to writing your argument. To write a credible argument, it must involve statistics, examples and note the sources. The argument, like any other writing, must include the main properties, an introduction, thesis and conclusion. It’s important that the thesis state your main point and side of an argument. Also, it’s important to provide information for both sides of the argument, including the opposing side.
I will use this information in the future when writing a persuasive paper or an argumentative essay. I think in the past I focus solely on my opinion and not address the opposing side. I also will use this information as I will research more on my topic to make it more credible. I will also remember to include my main argument in the thesis of my future paper.

I had the luxury of growing up in one of the most beautiful place in the world, Monterey, California. This may be a very subjective statement, but in my opinion nothing beats the lifestyle, entertainment and beauty that Monterey offers. Beaches, waves and casualness are a few words that sum out Monterey to me, and The Great Wave by the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai depicts that beauty. This artwork reminds me of the large waves in Monterey, especially along the wharf leading up to Lovers Point, a cliff that outlook the water.
While The Great Wave depicts excitement by the large, rushing waves, I see this artwork as calming as it reminds me of home, Monterey. The Great Wave illustrates tiny humans being tossed around in boats by the waves with Mt. Fuji in the distance. Yet, when I look at this artwork all I can picture is calmness, serenity and safeness. It reminds me of the numerous early morning runs along the wharf, listening to the waves crashing, seagulls and otters. I can literally smell the clam chowder and feel the mist in my face when I look at this painting.
Beyond being a memory to me, The Great Wave is a motivation factor in my life. I wasn’t a good student, always in trouble, made my parents lives a nightmare and didn’t have much impetus in my life. I moved to the Bay Area when I was in my later years in high school and then realized how lucky I was to have had the experience of Monterey. Although I didn’t take advantage of the magnificence of Monterey, I’m now old and wise enough to know how lucky I’ am for the experience.