What have you learned in this course; in our classes, during an assignment, from a peer, in a conversation in / outside class?

How does “La Guera” by Cherrie Moraga relate to you?

Create a Spotify playlist that matches the story “Kimberle” by Achy Obejas.

• “Everything I wanted” by Billie Eilish – This song is about suicidal and the thoughts running through Billie’s mind as she contemplates committing suicide. Within the first few paragraphs of “Kimberle” we learn that she is suicidal and that is why this song stood out to me specifically.
• “Tell Me” by Sabrina Claudio – As the story progresses we learn that the two main women in the story become sexually involved in threesomes but the friend ends up falling in love with Kimberle. This song is about a girl who is unaware of what her partner wants and she doesn’t know how to get through to her. I feel as though this relates to what the friend is feeling towards Kimberle.
• “Poison” by Brent Faiyaz – I love this song because I believe it gives a perfect description of how the main character feels towards Kimberle. She says in the story that Kimberle “made her feel fucking alive”. This song talks about how the girl is bad for him but he loves her and the damage she does to him. The same goes for the two girls. Kimberle does damage to her friend but the friend loves every moment of it.
• “Crazy” by Jessie Reyez – This song can be seen through the point of view of either character. As the main character realizes Kimberle does not feel the same about them as she does she starts to pick apart her life and everything that is wrong with it. That is the perspective from the friend, she is wondering what happened in her life to bring her to this point. Eventually we find out that Kimberle is a killer, if the story went deeper and we found out more about her it could be possible that she does have feelings for her roommate but cannot express them.
• “F*** Being Friends” by Jessie Reyez – If the main character had an aggressive reaction to Kimberle not being in love with her I think the first minute of the song relates well to what her feelings would be. In the song Jessie poses the question that her partner is scared to be in love but not to have sex. The same question and conversation can be brought up for Kimberle and the other girl. Kimberle explains “There is no us.” But continues to bring women over to have threesomes with.
• “Mad Hatter” by Melanie Martinez – In the end of the story it is revealed that Kimberle is the killer that everyone has been worried about. This song explains what it feels like to be “crazy” or what people would consider crazy.

Pandora's Box by Arturo Arias
News Article

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/opinion/transgender-today

From page 4 onwards in Pandora’s Box, the main character Juan goes through transition from man to woman. She then begins to speak about all the changes on her body from her facial features to her breasts and more. She is fascinated by the woman she is. Throughout the rest of the story she discusses the good and bad things that come with being a woman. At first it is all about the perks and then it becomes a roller coaster. The article I found is more of a story-teller. It has many stories, some I read, which are told by people who have transitioned themselves. They give the details on how they felt at first and the changes in their everyday life including at the workplace or even at home.

Choose an image from Dulce Pinzón and Graciela Iturbide.

Batman, Superman, and Captain America aren’t the only superheroes around. Although the first picture is of a nanny taking care of the children she is paid to take care of both images speak to me of motherhood. A mother is a superhero. She takes care of her husband, her children, her work, her house, and more. Women are strong individuals that do whatever in their power to make the world run smoothly. In both pictures the women are feeding the children, but in the second the mother is breastfeeding her child. It is truly amazing what women can do not just with their bodies but with themselves as a whole.

You Get Fat When You’re in Love by José Olivarez

I chose this movie because it tells the story of a young boy who falls in love with his fathers colleague. The two spend an entire summer together happy and in love but soon they will be separated and the young boy will learn months later that his summer love is getting married. The poem expresses how love can feel at first but then once your hopes and expectations get high your love crashes down leaving you broken and skinny.

Alternative Ending for Porcupine Love

I open my eyes. Don Juan has confirmed the thoughts I was scared to let loose. I do miss her. I do want to be with her. I just don’t know how to. I’m scared that if I go see her the routine I go through will just continue. Love. Fuck. Leave. There is clearly something about my Antenita that keeps me going back. My therapist would tell me that it is the underlying love I have for her but I think it is just my urge to fuck her.
I know how wishy washy I can be but I don’t know how to fix it. Antenita has done nothing but care for me and accept me in my coldest moments and all do is hurt her with my quills.
Why would I fuck her via email if I can go to New Zealand and do it myself?
I quit my job and booked my flight. Something about Antenna makes me do spontaneous and stupid things. I argue with myself and my therapist about it all the time.
All throughout packing and traveling I thought of how stupid I was to even think about coming to New Zealand. Why did I do this? What is going to happen? Does she miss me like I missed her?
As I get off the plane and get my bags all I can think about is the look on her face. How does she look now? It has been fourteen years and a picture only looks so real compared to in person.
While I wait for Antenna to come pick me up I look around at all the reuniting couples, families, and friends. They’re all so happy with their smiles from cheek to cheek and laughter louder than a police siren. Suddenly my view was blocked by something that jumped on me so fast I couldn’t see what it was…but she felt familiar. I knew those arms wrapped around my neck. I knew those lips pressed against my cheek. I knew that scent. It was my Antenna. As she pulls herself away from me I look at her and admire her but then all these memories and feelings come back.
My heart goes cold and I push her away from me.
Why am I here.