Whipsaw

What is a whipsaw? What does that mean?

noun
1.
a saw for two persons, as a pitsaw, used to divide timbers lengthwise.–verb (used with object)
2.
to cut with a whipsaw.
3.
to win two bets from (a person) at one turn or play, as at faro.
4.
to subject to two opposing forces at the same time: The real-estate market has been whipsawed by high interest rates and unemployment. –verb (used without object)
5.
(of a trailer, railroad car, etc.) to swing suddenly to the right or left, as in rounding a sharp curve at high speed.
Origin: 1530–40;

Definition # 4

I think I have been whipsawed... by being Puerto Rican.

Did you know?

Puerto Rico is not a state. It is a U.S. teritorry - Commonwealth

Most people speak Spanish --both Spanish and English -official languages

2 Flags and 2 National Anthem

People born in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens.

They can vote at the federal level, but not from the island.

They elect their governor.

Puerto Rico is represented in the United States Congress by nonvoting delegate.

***Puerto Ricans cannot vote in U.S. presidential elections, but they can vote in primaries. Puerto Ricans who become residents of a U.S. state can vote in presidential elections.***

So why "whipsawed"?

It doesn't have to be a negative thing, but I feel that living in the United States and being Puerto Rican can be a little difficult sometimes. It is like you don't really know where you are from. I never thought about any of these things when I lived there. You are JUST Puerto Rican when you live there. Yes, there is a great influence of the American culture and we are aware that we are a territory of the U.S. but that's all. We don't question anything or at least - I didn't. We are very proud to be Americans! I feel like I have been whipsawed by Puerto Ricans/Americans from the island and the Americans from here. Am I still a "real Puerto Rican" even though I choose to live here?

"Girandole"

"Girandole" - is a rotating and radiating firework
-an ornate bracket for candelabra or the like, sometimes with a reflecting mirror at the back of the shelf.
-a brooch or earring consisting of a central ornament with usually three smaller ornaments hanging from it

What came to my mind when I heard this word for the first time? I knew right away it had something to do with motion/movement. The word "girar" in Spanish means to do spin around the central point.

How can I relate this word to the courses I teach? I thought of God's eye (a ritual tool, magical object and cultural symbol evoking the weaving motif and its spiritual associations). Teaching culture can be a challenge sometimes. I try to stay away from teaching facts or simply tons of information of a particular country. I try to incorporate things that students can relate and can do/make in class. Teaching this lesson gives me the opportunity not only to teach culture but to practice listening speaking. I can teach my students how to make one in class using the target language while they get a little taste of the culture.

A craft from the Huichol tribe of Mexico, kids can easily create many of these colorful God's Eyes with Popsicle sticks and yarn.
What you'll need:
· String or yarn in several colors
· 2 Popsicle or craft sticks
· Glue
· Scissors
How to make it:
1. Glue the two craft sticks together in a cross.
2. Take one color of yarn and wrap it over and around one stick, then over and around the next, over and around the next, and so on. Keep doing that until the color is used up.
3. Tie a different color string onto the old one with a tight knot.
4. Repeat steps 2 + 3 until complete.
5. Take a piece of string for a hanger, cut it, and tie or glue it to your God's Eye. Hang it up in your room to enjoy.

Reconcile

Reconcile- Reconciliar, re-con-ci-liar. < Del lat.
1. tr. volver a las amistades que estaban rotas, o atraer y acordar los ánimos desunidos.
2. Relig. Restitituir al seno de la Iglesia a quien se había separado de sus doctrinas.

When I was given this word in class, the first thing that came to my mind was - is it a cognate or simply false. I had to look up the word and find out the origin. I have always heard this word in relation to relationships/marriage. Now, I can see how I can apply this word to everything in my life including teaching.

I am from Puerto Rico. I came to the states when I was almost 17 years old. My parents made that decision without asking us. I'm pretty sure they thought it was the best for us at that time. Education always played a big role in our lives. My parents believed that getting a good education was a free ticket to a good life. They wanted us to be bilingual and learn the American culture as well. Being Puertorican made things a little easier. We are American citizens, so I had the same privileges as other students. I made the decision to become a teacher after given the opportunity to teach Spanish courses (mainly-culture) to a group of high school students while I was still attending college. I was hired by a federal funding program called Upward Bound. I had the honor to teach/tutor students of all ages. This is when I can honestly say that I decided to reconcile the differences I had with my parents. I always found myself being upset with my parents because of their decision to move to United States when I was just a teenager.

I know this is probably a very personal note, but I truly believe that's the reason why I enjoy teaching foreign languages today. I found a passion for teaching my culture and my native language. I have learned to reconcile and compromise and that's exactly what we -teachers/professors do almost every day. Teaching a foreign language can be exciting when we are teaching students who choose to learn it. It can be a little stressful when we find ourselves teaching students that have no desire in learning another language. Again, we try to compromise and then reconcile in order to promote a healthy environment for all students.

Introduction

Hello everyone.  I'm Madeline Martinez.  Im currently taking one course here at this university.  I graduated from here in 2000 with a Masters in Spanish Literature.  Im currently working at UAFS in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  I'm  a Spanish professor and I absolutely love my job.  I can wait to learn new stuff/technology, so I can use it in the classroom.