1. What is the significance of Dina choosing the revolver? Why do you think she chose the revolver?
2.  Why does the narrator feel out of place in the beginning of the story? What causes her to feel like she doesn’t belong?
3. DIna shares her harsh feelings towards her father, do those feelings affect her behavior?

1. At the beginning of story, Dina seems as if she doesn’t trust individuals easily, why does it look as if she trusted Heidi so easily?
2. Dina talks about memories she experience with her mother, why is it she doesn’t provide information about her father besides the fact that she doesn’t like him? Why does move in with her aunt and not her father?
3. If Dina felt bad for her poor word choice when trying to comfort Heidi, why did she choose not to attend her mother’s funeral? Dina also daydreams of visiting Heidi, do you believe she thinks she made a poor decisions by not attending the funeral?

The feelings of not being able to “fit” in isn’t an unfamiliar emotion for me, moving from State to State can cause a person to feel different and not welcomed. Growing up, my family moved from three different states to cater for my father’s demanding job. After each move I noticed a reoccurring feeling that I had, which was not being able to feel comfortable and accepted. These feelings would only last for the first month, after spending a considerable time in each State, I began to think I was “fitting” in and that people were beginning to accept me into their community. This cycle would repeat itself after and during every move my family made, the feelings of displacement generally last during the time period where a person doesn’t feel welcome but overtime this feeling would disappear. Looking back, I realized that the feelings of displacement can be hard on someone, but once you overcome it, it’s the a huge relief and it makes you feel better about yourself.

1. When Dina refuses to participate in the “trust” game what does this say about her? How does this change later on?
2. Why could it be that Dina connected more with Heidi than anyone else? How did their relationship grow from the beginning to end of the passage?
3. What is the significance of the therapist? How does he help Dina?

1. Does the fact that Dina prefers to play Russian Roulette, opposed to the harmless game Trust, tell us the way she perceives the world? Does the fact that she refuses to play the game shows us how hostility towards trusting?
2. Does the relationship between Heidi and Dina reveal something about Dina? The way she engaged with Heidi right away, when she hadn’t really spoken to anyone ever, tells us anything? Like what about Heidi did she relate, or connect to? Why was Heidi different from the rest of the people that she tuned out?
3. Why does Dina talk about the dream she had with her mother? Was it to show us that she wasn’t always dispassionate, and reclusive? OR was it show the similarities between the relationship she had with her mother and the relationship she had with Heidi?

Saturday was my day of displacement. I say this because there were changes to my usual schedule that I am not normally used to. Unlike every good New Yorker, I forgot to check for planned service changes on the 4 train. It turns out that during weekends 4 trains are not running between 149st Grand Concourse and Woodlawn. When I was on my way to the train station, I find a “No trains at this station” sign. I panicked and completely forgot the address of my destination, and how to use Google Maps.  After about 5 minutes of looking for an alternate route, and 15 minutes of waiting for the bus, I was finally on my way to work. I got there late and had to explain an issue that I should have planned ahead for. On top of that, on my way home I missed my stop because I was too distracted on my phone. When I looked up, I had no idea where the bus was taking me. I tried to remain calm because I did not want to look nervous in front of the people on the bus. Instead of asking for directions, I stood quiet and waited until the last stop. Simply enough I waited for the bus back. The biggest take back that I have from these two experiences is that in a matter of seconds you can go from a situation or place is that completely familiar, to one that is not. My mind went blank and my solution was remaining calm, or at least convincing myself and others that I was. Both of these events could have been completely preventable if I was more attentive.  A second of displacement can throw your whole day off track. Thankfully, there is technology to help us get back on track when we find ourselves completely displaced.

This last summer  I had one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. In March of 2016 I received an email from Baruch college stating that I had to attend the SEEK summer program. This was exciting but yet terrifying news. I would be starting the program in early July and finish late August. July soon came and the first day of the program arrived. Taking the train there I remember the butterflies filling my stomach. It was the first day of high school all over again. Once I arrived, I had trouble finding my way around campus. I had to ask someone where the classroom was and in turn I arrived late for my first class. I felt completely out of place. None of my friends decided to go to Baruch, so I was on my own. Where I would normally participate actively in class I didn’t dare raise my hand. When the first class ended I breathed a sigh of relief. I felt relieved having finished my first class, but I then had to navigate the monstrosity that is the Vertical Campus. Again, I got lost. It was quite frustrating, but I somehow managed to get through my first day. As the days passed I felt more comfortable. I gained a sense of belonging that wasn’t there the first few weeks. I met new friends and I started to participate more and more. I’m happy to say that I overcame this displacement.

As we discussed in class on Thursday, we will not be meeting during our regularly scheduled class time on Tuesday. Instead, you will be attending one or more of the events of the Weissman School’s Art-A-Thon. In addition to attending a session, you will be posting a description and review (1-2 pages) of your experience here on the class blog, including photographic evidence of your attendance at the event. I know that you all have busy schedules, but I am hoping that we will spread out and go to many different events, rather than all attending the same one. The event is flexible, so you can walk in to the workshops late and leave early, if necessary.  You can access the schedule  via the listing on the Baruch College homepage if, for some reason, you misplace the schedule I distributed. Your reviews should be posted by class (2:55) on Thursday.

We will be shifting our discussion of Z.Z. Packer to Thursday, but your questions about “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere” are still due on Tuesday!

Feel free to get in touch with me if you have questions about any of this!

Have fun!!!

In Junot Diaz’s “Fiesta, 1980,” Yunior knows that his father is having an affair with another woman and keeps it a secret from his mother. His brother Rafa also knew about the affair and he kept it from her, too. The reason why Yunior didn’t tell his mother is because he did not want her to be hurt and alone without his father. He knows that they would not be together anymore once the truth comes out. Although I understand the reason behind Yunior’s decision of keeping it from his mother, I do not agree with him. I think that the value of family does not mean to lie and protect one another. Instead, a family should be truthful to one another even if it ends up with people leaving or getting hurt. I know I can never keep a secret from my mother because I will feel guilty. When I was younger, my mom hated when my dad goes out to drink with his friends. One night he didn’t come home for dinner and she told me to call him to find out if he’s out drinking with his friends. When I called, he told me not to tell my mom where he was and that I should tell her he was at my uncle’s. I thought about lying to my mom to protect my dad, but I felt bad and guilty because it did not feel right. I thought it meant that my dad would probably take advantage and continue doing something that upsets my mom. In the end, I told her the truth even though I knew it would make her mad because it felt better than keeping it from her when I knew she trusted me. I think Yunior should’ve done the same because his mom loves him and stood up for him when his father abused him. She deserves respect and honesty back from him.

For Tuesday, please read Z.Z. Packer’s short story, “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere” (link on blog) and post three discussion questions about the story to our class blog. Your questions should be posted no later than 12pm on Tuesday. Be sure to bring a print out of the story with you to class!