Middlesex+(Entry+1)

Diverticulitis - Diverticulitis is a disease that doctors have yet to discover the reason for. The disease is bulging sacs on the inner lining of the intestine that becomes inflamed. Many doctors believe that diverticulitis is a result of a low-fiber diet. Diverticulitis occurs when there are stools trapped in the sacs causing infection. Symptoms of diverticulitis include tenderness or lower left abdomen, bloating or gas, fever and chills, nausea, and lack of appetite. Treatments for this disease include going on an all liquid diet for one or two days depending on the severity of the disease. Also, pain medication is often taken to help ease the pain. Diverticulotis is another disease that may lead to diverticulitis. About 10% of people over the age of 40 will get diverticulotis and about 40% of people over the age of 60 will get the disease. The disease affects almost everyone over the age of 80 as the immune system slows down. []
 * Finish Part 1**
 * Definitions, Family Heritage, Taboo**
 * 1. Definitions**

Tiresias - In Greek mythology, Tiresias was a blind prophet of Thebes. Tiresias is most famous because he was turned into a woman for seven years. In Middlesex, Cal describes himself as Tiresias because he "was first one thing and then the other" (3). Tiresias was also a prophet of Opollo; however, he was blinded by the gods for revealing their secret. In Oedipus, Tiresias is called upon to help investigate the death of previous King Laus. Sadly, Tiresias died by drinking tainted water from a spring where he was shot with one of Apollo's arrows. After hitting two snakes with a stick, Hera becomes angry at Tiresias punishing him by turning him into a woman. Tiresias was released from his punishment when seven years later he again came across two snakes mating; however, this time he either let them go, or trampled over them which turned him back into a man. []

What is your family's heritage? Do you have an immigrant past? How connected do you feel to the past? Does it influence your daily life? If not, what nationality do you consider yourself and why?
 * Questions**

Since I was adopted from South Korea at a very early age, I am unable to talk about my own personal heritage. I am an immigrant from South Korea; however, unlike most immigrants who choose to come to America for the sense of personal freedom, I did not decide for myself to come to America. My adopted parents chose to adopt from South Korea for a second time after adopting my sister, Nicole. They signed papers and I was off on my first plane ride to America. Well, I do not think it was that easy, but I do not know the logistics of the adoption. I do know, however, that I had to go to court with my family soon after I came over to become a citizen. On my birth certificate, in big black letters reads: "Not a Legal Citizen". I find that being adopted does somehow influence my daily life. However, over time, I have learned to ignore the influence it has on my life. When I was younger, I looked at myself as different and I always questioned what life would be like if I was not adopted. Now, I love being in America and I am glad I was adopted because I know that if I was still in South Korea, I would be a lot less fortunate than here in America. Prior to my adoption, I was not even with my mother in South Korea, I was in a foster home. I believe that a foster home is where children are temporarily placed; however, I am not quite sure. To many people's surprise, I consider myself American. Many people find this quite strange, but I don't. I have lived in America ever since I was four months old and I do not remember one thing from my short time spent in Korea. I thought that looking at pictures would make me remember at least one thing, but it does not. Although I consider myself American, I know that my race is Asian. If I were to go to Korea today, people would not think of me as Korean because I am so "Americanized" that my personal habits and way of life are different from Koreans. I am aware that I do not know my family's heritage, but it does not really have an impact on the way I feel about myself. I do think that it would be cool to know my past, but I am glad that I have such loving parents today.

What is a taboo? What is the purpose of a taboo? How and why do you think they were created? How do you feel when one is broken?

A taboo is a strong social prohibition relating to any area of human activity that is sacred and forbidden based on moral judgment, religious beliefs, and social consensus. Taboos can include sex, death, dietary restrictions, religious vegetarianism, sexual fetishes, and restrictions of bodily functions. What is accepted in one culture/religion may be considered a taboo in another culture. The purpose of a taboo is to show people what is morally correct. Certain taboos can also deteriorate after time; however, it depends on the severity of the taboo. I think that taboos were created because the constant opinions of the public are displayed in media. I feel like people follow taboos all of the time, but it is just not something that people normally think of. Although breaking a taboo can be a big deal, it depends on the severity of the taboo. I think that when religious taboos are broken it is made to be a bigger deal than when a non religious taboo is broken. The difference in opinions about when a certain taboo is broken versus another is very prominent. I do not think that there should be differences in when one taboo is broken because there are social expectations.