My Mother’s Childhood [Discussing Literature]
Educated by Tara Westbrook is one of the most insightful and eye-opening books I have read. Upon finishing it, I recommended the book to my mother. As we discussed the book together, she expressed how similar her own childhood was to Tara’s. She felt as though she had read a story about her own childhood and how she managed to escape that oppression. I realized how much my mother had overcome, as she doesn’t talk much about her situation growing up. It brought us closer together.
Me in 100 Words [Creatively Composing]
One of my English professors encouraged me to introduce myself to the class by way of a written piece containing 100 words. I realized that the thing that made me who I am was my hometown and rural upbringing. The beginning reads: “I’m a desert child. Born under a blistering late afternoon sun in July, raised on a lake that turns to melted gold under pink skies. My childhood was spent wandering barefoot through sagebrush, always keeping a watchful eye for rattlesnakes.” I felt a connection to my childhood while composing this short piece.
Connecting With My Ancestors [Literary within Musical Experience]
I often play a rendition of “Land of our Dreams” on the piano and sing it to my grandfather, who finds comfort and peace each time he requests I play it for him. The lyrics are a lullaby a mother sings to her child as they escape to America at the same time my family’s ancestors did. The song has deep meaning to my family. “May your sleep be as sweet as the wind on the waves / blowing gently toward far happier days. May each breath be a promise to help you believe / we’re off to the land of our dreams.”
Understanding The Glass Castle [Cinematic Literary Experience]
My favorite book is The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls. Recently, it was turned into a movie. The movie helped me to deepen my understanding of the family situation Jeanette endured and brought to life scenes I had difficulty picturing in my head from the book alone.
Christmas Gifts [Literary Letters]
My younger sister is serving a mission in Taiwan and this was her first Christmas away from home. For her Christmas present, I painted a series of Christ figures with different poems I had written for her as messages of encouragement, hope, and love. We FaceTimed on Christmas Eve to watch her open her presents. My gift of poems and art made both her and I cry. It was a special moment for my family.
A trip to Amsterdam [Literary Travel]
My mother and I share a favorite book, The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. We are traveling to Holland in March in order to visit her house that hid Jews during WWII. I am excited to see how visiting the place where the story is set will further connect me to the novel.
Ok, that portion of the poem you shared is amazing! I know nothing about your upbringing but your poem is so insightful!
ReplyDeleteI think my mom recommended "Educated" before I came to school, but it didn't interest me that much. But now that I've heard of another person loving it, I'll probably have to give it a read.
ReplyDeleteI love that you were able to better understand your upbringing and what made you who you are by writing about it!
ReplyDeleteI want to read the rest of your introduction of yourself in one hundred words! That's such a cool idea- I think I'll have to try it myself.
ReplyDeleteI like that assignment, "Me in 100 Words", so creative!
ReplyDeleteI love what you wrote in your "me in 100 words" assignment. I did a similar assignment, and loved being able to summarize so much with so little. It makes me wonder about the years and stories that hide behind the lines of what you wrote.
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