Duong Thu Huong: Reflections of Spring

Equanimity- calm state of mind
Hanoi- The capital of Vietnam
Rice wafers- A Sourth-Eastern cuisine that is usually in a wrap

Banana Yoshimoto: Helix

Sashimi- A Japanese food consisting of fresh, raw seafood that is thinly sliced

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2044.html
One flew over the cuccoo's nest- A movie made in 1975 directed by Milos Forman about a man who get patients together to take on Nurse Ratched.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073486/
Prisms- a device used to refract light

Compare, contrast Gorilla, My love and The Glasstower

Both Gorilla, My Love and The Glasstower have many similarities and differences. Both Arenas and Bambara are contempary writers published in The Art of the Story. They write about main characters that show different personalities and characteristics throughout the story. Alfredo shows his other side when all of the characters in his head start to come out. Hazel started as a tomboy and soon became emotional when she find out her uncle was getting married. Arenas grew up in Cuba while Bambara grew up in the United States. Also the language of the story shows many differences. One is very formal while the other is written in a southern draw.

Reinaldo Arenas: The Glass Tower

Cuban Danzon- The official music of Cuba
http://www.arhoolie.com/titles/7032c.shtml

Toni Cade Bambara: Gorilla, My love

Persian Lamb Coat:

"Moonlight Sonata"- One of Beethovens most popular pieces of work.

Julian Barnes: Evermore

bayoneted- A knrife or a dagger that is designated to fit over the muzzle of a rifle.
Parcel- a situation when future events are forecast.
Cabaret Rouge- It is a cemetry started in the Middle Ages made for the Germans in December 1870 and then was taken over by the French in 1915. http://www.webmatters.net/cwgc/cabaret_rouge.htm
Caterpillar Valley- Cemetery
Thistle Dump- Cemetery
Quarry- Cemetery
Blighty Valley- Cemetery
Ulster Tower- Memorial

Love Poem

The First Day
by Christina Rossetti

I wish I could remember the first day,
First hour, first moment of your meeting me;
If bright or dim the season it might be;
Summer or winter for aught I can say.
So, unrecorded did it slip away,
So blind was i to see and to forsee,
So dull to mark the budding of my tree
That would not blossom, yet, for many a May.

If only I could recollect it! Such
A day of days! I let it come and go
As traceless as a thaw of bygone snow.
It seemed to mean so little, meant so much!
If only now I could recall that touch,
First touch of hand in hand! - Did one but know!

I chose this love poem because I feel that the author is really in love. She feels passionally in love with someone who she recently kissed and can not remeber what it felt like. In a way this poem makes me remember crushes from when i was little and they way i felt about those boys. I really liked this poem and the feelings that relate to Valintines Day.
http://www.lovepoetry.com/poems/random_classic2.asp