Greetings and salutations

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Hello, my name is Hickory and I am a senior with a major in English Lit. and a minor in Women's Studies. I work a super full time job, take a full course load at the Orlando campus, workout like a freak, am recently divorced and take care of a small petting zoo at home (2 dogs, a cat, a rabbit and a blue and gold macaw). When I am not working, at the gym or cleaning up after my menagerie, I like to read. Imagine that, a literature major who likes to read! I am also big into music and of course movies. I am taking this course not only to satisfy my minor requirements but also to learn more about the trials of girls today. It has been awhile since I was a girl.

I have to say, Sitteneld’s story did not sound familiar to me at all. I was not any of those things when I was a girl. I didn’t react as this girl did and I did not engage in the same ludicrous activities. I was actually disgusted by the girl in the story. I just could not believe that someone would let themselves be treated that way and would focus so much on their own self hatred. Maybe it has been a long time since I was a girl, but I really don’t remember ever acting like that. Now, the stories in Red I did understand. Although I certainly could not relate to summers in the Hamptons, I could relate to the feelings and thoughts of these girls. Even the story of the girl obsessed with climbing, although I have never been on any kind of team like that or participated heavily in a sport. These stories seemed to convey larger ideas about coming of age lessons and broader thoughts on how girls learn to value things in life. Sittenfeld’s story was a look at the uglier inner workings of a girl and her battle with her self identity and desires. I can’t relate. I have always been straightforward and honest about who I am, what I think and what I want. I have always tried to be honest with myself. I’ll admit, this approach has left me somewhat jaded as I loathe hypocrisy and see it everywhere. But, I take pride in the fact that people know I will always tell them the truth, even when they don’t want to hear it.

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