Blogs and Poems November
Blogs and Poems November
Blog #24 and Blog #28
Poems #26, 27, and 28
Poem #26
(free verse)
Only believe in people who believe
Hard working people willing to achieve
Never giving up on their self
Trust themselves if no one else
So believe in yourself and I’ll believe
If you believe I’ll help you achieve
Blog #24
The author of the book, The Ordeal of Elizabeth Marsh: A Woman in World History is a woman whose name is Linda Colley. She was a Native of the United Kingdom. Linda is a well known British historian. In her writing and teachings she examines Britain’s past in a broader European, imperial, and global context. Colley graduated with first class honors from Bristol University, she got her PhD at Cambridge University, and both degrees are in history. She was a professor at Yale University then after she accepted a Senior Leverhulme Research Professorship in History at London School of Economics. With the award she spent five years researching British history. Then she returned to the U.S. to accept a high rank position at Princeton University. Also she was appointed commander of order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2009. With all her education and background she was able to write many great books. Linda wrote about three topics: British identity, global emperors, and modern era.
One of the well known woman travelers in the 1700’s is a lady by the name of Elizabeth Marsh. Few women were allowed to travel during this time period but she had the opportunity to travel to the hotspots. She went on journey’s from her homeland Jamaica, to places like the Caribbean, England, Mederiaterren, Morocco, India, and then to America. These places were where most of trade was taking place. The reason she was able to take able to go off on these trips is because she was born into a wealthy family. Her father and many other men in her family were shipbuilders, mariners, and makers of charts and maps. This helped link her to the Royal Navy. George Marsh, Elizabeth’s uncle had a government job and was able to help her and Milbourne Marsh (her father) to get across the Mederiaterren. James Crisp, her husband a merchant who engaged in both legal and illicit long-distance trade. He traded with two of the biggest empires at the time Spain and Britain. Elizabeth mother is unknown but is said to be of African descent because she was conceived in Jamaica. These family members were also the main characters in the book, The Ordeal of Elizabeth Marsh. Another character that played a major role is a Moroccan ruler who held her captive when the French invaded Europe while she was visiting. All these people helped Elizabeth Marsh to become a successful woman in history.
This book gives a different view of the world in the 1700’s. It helps show the European environment from a women perspective, someone who I can relate to more. Elizabeth in the story talks about he sexual experiences she had when she was held captive by Sulton, Sidi Muhammad. A man wouldn’t be able to tell about how a female feels when being put in that situation. A woman could tell it better. History books now are changing because of many points that Colley brings up in her books. Her books are accurate with all things she refers to about it living in a European World. The Origins of the World is a book by another author that has done research and brings up many points mentioned in the Colley’s book. Linda Colley has created a book with her education and experiences that will help shape the future. She was able to get a lot of her information from a great resource, a woman. Since Elizabeth wrote down her experiences Linda was able to pull out valuable information. A poem that reminds me of this book is, The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus.
Poem #27
(free verse)
My life is a battle
Its full of ups and downs
Like a globe spinning around
Which do I go, who know?
Should I follow that road
The good turn in to bad
The ugly into pretty
Life is like a circle
Around and around I go
Blog #25
My venture through IKEA was a new experience. Since never having a place of my own I rarely go to furniture stores. IKEA is set up different from other stores of its kind. When entering the parking lot the first thing I notice was a big bright blue building with their yellow logo located near the roof. Its appearance makes it distinguishable from the rest. Before entering through the doors there was a sign that showed a special they were having on there breakfast foods. After seeing that sign I was confused, usually furniture stores don’t have a dining area. Then when walking through the doors to the right was a stair case; at the top of it was level one and below was level two. IKEA brings to mind a two floor Wal-Mart but a furniture store version. When entering the actual part where the display models of their products are located was like being at the start of a maze.
The actual furniture itself was different than others I’ve seen. There was a wide variety of different colors, shapes, sizes, and styles of furniture. Most of their products are up to date on fashion. A lot of there things had loud, bright colors which are popular. For example, like bright reds, oranges, hot pinks, and lime greens which help their items stand out. I notice that many of the other stores usually only have darker colored furniture, such as: dark brown, black, tan, and darker shades of blue. These would be standard colors. Many of the others also have big bulky furniture that would not fit into smaller places. Style and shape of IKEA’s furniture is different from other stores as well. A lot of IKEA’s products are made of plastics and metals which makes it easier for them to shape and style their things to almost look any particular way they desire, that’s what makes them unique. By them building there products this way makes it faster to return there custom made pieces. Also it makes products are easier to assemble on your own. This is why majority of the furniture is made so that customers can put it together their selves and don’t have to pay to get it assembled. This helps make their products cheaper then others. The other stores coaches, tables, and etc., majority of the time made out of wood and cloth materials which make it hard for customers to assemble on their own. This makes its prices higher because the furniture stores have to pay workers to put pieces together.
In order for IKEA to sell in the United States they would have to switch their style to adjust. In U.S. fashion we like to make fashion statements and stand out. We like odd shapes and bright colors to make us unique. Over in Scandinavia where IKEA originated a lot of their buildings and furniture is historic, with a lot of the same fashion. Many of its furniture stuck to the original designs until Scandinavians adapted to the American culture. The Tropics in New York by Claude Mckay would be the poem that describes my story.
Poem #28
Life is beautiful
It can blossom like a flower
From a small seed to a mighty tree
It’s beautiful just watch and see
I’m a hero
Yes me trust and believe
Your one to just watch and see
We all are in a adventure we call life
We have to save and be saved
Yes life is a hero’s journey.
