Blog #12

Mona attempted to find her place at school by doing everything she could to fit in and resemble her peers. In the beginning of the story Mona told her classmates a lie, saying that she knows karate hoping that she could impress them. Mona's friend Barbara explained that to be popular you must have big boobs, a credit card and a boyfriend. Soon enough a new Asian was assigned to Mona's class and it became her job to show him around. Mona tried to find similarities between the two of them and eventually feelings developed. In a way Mona judged him for his notebook having a kitty on it, but unlike Mona, he didn't lie about who he was to try to fit in. I think the narrarator's experiences helped her find her way by making her realize who she really is. Throughout the story she began to understand that she is Asian American, she is part of both cultures. Both backgrounds make her who she is, it's not a switch between one or the other and it's not something she can choose. Your culture is not something that defines your rank of popularity and relationships.