Yessenia Vargas

March 18^th, 2015

Ms. Reyes Middlesex blog post #5: Text-to-text

Similar to Callie's love or obsession as some say argue, Lucentio's love for Bianca highlights the theme of forbidden love due to the fact that different obstacles stand in the way of them obtaining what they desire. The Taming of the Shrew, involves a beautiful young girl refer to as Bianca, because of her qualities she attracts many suitors. A variety of men ask Bianca's father to allow them to give her different classes in exchange to see her. Lucentio's love becomes forbidden as he is not the only one chasing after her and he has to work even harder in order to be the winner of her love. Similar to Callie's love for the object societies ideals stand in the way of their love. Since everyone around Callie views her as female and before her self discovery she view herself as one too, the idea of liking a girl is completely off limits as they go against societies norms. As Eugenides states, “We were hidden by the backrest, by the wall of hair, and who was the farmer to tell anyway?” (394) after Callie's accident, the Obscure Object builds up the courage to kiss her away from the confinement of her bedroom. Despite the fact that this action is no longer done in this room, they still are not expressing their love opening as this kiss is done where no one can see. Both the Object and Callie are afraid to openly express their love as it goes against societies norms, and if they rare to go against them they will be shun. In the case of Lucentio's love for Bianca, it becomes forbidden love as he has to battle against many in order to obtain her love. Since the other suitors are also offering Bianca lessons, it forces him to have to share her with the others. The other suitors, become Lucentio's major obstacle as he can not have Bianca for himself since he has to share her with the others and run the risk of her falling in love with them. Both Callie and Lucentio face different obstacles that prevent them from obtaining their true desire ranging from other people and society.

Yessenia Vargas

March 9th, 2015

Ms. Reyes

Middlesex blog post #4: Original Creative Respond
(Sarah= Obscure Object)

My feelings for Callie Stephanides had began to grow from the moment my sister Sarah introduced her. She was not one of the prettiest girls, or coolest I have seen but she sparked a feeling in me no one else did. She was smart, and mysterious. For the first time, I was able to touched Callie not just as her best friend’s brother but something more than that; her body felt smooth and her soft lips pressed down on mine. I was not experienced at all, and was unsure if I was doing it right but I wasn't worry because I knew Callie did not know much either. Once in a while I would look over at Rex and Sarah and try to imitate the movement of his hands, and mouth. As I kissed Callie, I opened by eyes a couple of times and saw Callie observing them as well, possibly for the same reason I did. As Rex pulled Sarah's underpants I copied him and did the same. I was afraid, as I did not know what to do or what to expected though I remember seeing the nude images of woman as well as the videos of them doing exactly what Callie and I were on the verge of doing. I continued imitating Rex's actions eventually inserting my penis into her vagina. As I looked down at Callie, I read pain in her eyes. The sensation that came from this action was the best feeling I have ever endured. Callie pushed me away, I did not understand what I did wrong, and I thought we were both enjoying it. I looked at Callie and only observed pain and disappointment in her eyes, while I felt satisfaction, and victory.

Current Event: Bruce Jenner

Bruce Jenner Sex Change: Reality star announces gender reassignment plans to family on reality show

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/bruce-jenner-sex-change-reality-star-announces-gender-reassignment-plans-family-reality-show-1490856

The moment Bruce Jenner announced to his family that he is planning to live his life as a woman, will be shown on a forthcoming episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

It has been long speculated that the former Olympic athlete has been undergoing gender reassignment, however he has not yet spoken publicly about his decision.

The 65-year-old turned to his family for support as he made the announcement during a family gathering in which he broke the news to Kendall, Kylie, Khloe and Kim Kardashian. E! cameras captured the moment, as Jenner explained his changing life choices.

According to Us Weekly the former sports star was 'very matter-of-fact' as he addressed the subject. "He literally started the conversation with, 'Hey, guys, I'm becoming a woman, but I'm sure you probably already figured that out,' a source told the magazine.

'"There was so much speculation, and they were all wondering about the truth. Bruce had to address it with them," the source added. "He got a little emotional, but it wasn't a jaw-dropping conversation," the source said, adding that "it's a surprise to the girls that he's doing this at 65."

Bruce has apparently been slowly transitioning into a woman. Speculation as to his changing appearance first mounted after he reportedly had his Adam's apple surgically reduced, a common procedure often undertaken by men seeking gender reassignment. The 65-year-old reality star also allegedly started taking oestrogen and underwent a series of physical changes, growing his hair long, sporting hot pink nails and appearing with clean shaven legs, all contributing to his increasingly feminine appearance.

According to Us Weekly the announcement resulted in a mixed reaction. Kendall, 19, told Bruce to 'just be you' while Kylie, 17, also stood by her father. The source said: "They want nothing more than for their dad to enjoy the life he wants to live."

Khloe, 30, apparently was unsurprised by his statement, and had been aware of Bruce's feminine side. "It all suddenly makes sense to her," the source told the publication. Kim, 34, and Kourtney, 35 were said to be rather more reticent about his decision.

The source claimed: "Kim had been thinking, 'What if Kendall had an event and Bruce shows up in a dress? Won't that steal her attention?' " It was suggested that Kourtney, who recently welcomed a son named Reign with long-term partner Scott Disick, was said to be 'so wrapped up in her kids and new baby... she doesn't care what Bruce does."

Of all the Kardashian clan it seems the person most perturbed by the news was Bruce's ex-wife Kris Jenner, 59. The couple who were married for 22 years announced in 2013 they were to separate. Their divorce was finalized in June 2014. "Deep down, Kris feels betrayed," the source said.

While Bruce was reported to be in negotiations to publicly talk about his gender reassignment on a televised interview, the proposed TV special was postponed after he was involved in a fatal car accident in Malibu.

Bruce's announcement will be featured in episode 13 of Keeping Up With The Kardashians which airs on March 15. He is also filming a docu-series chronicling his gender transition.

Middlesex blogpost #3

Yessenia Vargas

Ms. Reyes

May 3th, 2015

Middlesex blogpost #3: Current event

Brunce Jenner, a famous reality television star announced to his family that he will undergo sex change to become a woman. It has been speculated that Jenner has been in the process of changing sex long before but has never openly spoke about the issue. Jenner had his Adam's apple reduced, began taking estrogen, grew out his hair, and shaved his legs in order to enhance his feminine appearance. Jenner and Callie share a lot in common as both are undergoing a tremendous change. For instance Jenner, born a male after 65 years decides he wants to become a female. Callie's situation is more complex as she is born with both sex organs. Despite the fact that she is viewed as a female by those around her, her body is not undergoing the changes a woman should at her age. Since Callie is seen as a female, she attempts to undergo different procedures in order to feel or become more like a woman. For example, Callie goes to a salon to have her upper lip hair removed with her mother. Callie undergoes this procedure to feel like a woman because her body does not let her feel like one. The fact that she shared this experience with her mother and was around other woman, allows her to feel like a part of their clan. As Callie states, “I started shaving my legs and underarms” (311) which enabled her to feel more like a woman because woman are expected to do this, as it is more appealing to men and Callie is attempting to fulfill the social norms are female is require to. As the article states Jenner, “underwent a series of physical changes [such as] growing his hair long all contributing to his increasingly feminine appearance” having long hair is often associated as a feminine attribute, and is not surprising that Jenner will decide to grow his hair in order to enhance his feminine look. Callie compares her hair to chapter 11's and states, “not as long as mine, but still” (312) Callie's hair acts both as a shield and as a way to make her feel like a woman. Her long hair allows her to hide from the rest of the world, making her appear invisible. On the other hand her hair makes her feel like a woman. The fact that she compares her hair to Chapter 11's and says, “not as long as mine” is used to emphasize the fact that because her hair is longer than his it makes her even more of a female. Jenner after 65 years of being a male discoveries himself and comes to the realization that he wants to be a female. Callie born both sexes attempts her hardest to be the female others want her to be but in reality that isn't who she truly is. The fact that both Jenner and Callie have difficulties discovering who they are, reinforces a common theme in Middlesex, identity and discovering who you really are.