Name:AyonnacameronDate:August.26,2015CourseName:OralandWrittenCompositionPersonal NarrativeIalwaysreadaboutpeoplegoingthroughthingslikethisinbooksandmoviesbutInever thoughtthatIwouldbeavictiminthetwistednovelcalledmylifeIn2013Iwentonafieldtrip withsomeofmy6thgradeclassmatesandteachers.WewereonourwaytoWestVirginia.Iwas kindofscaredbutatthesametimeIwashappybecauseIwastakingabreakfromdoingschool work.Whenwegottherewewalkeduptothecabinsandstartedunpacking.Afterthatweall walkedbackdownsowecouldgohorsebackridingmeandmyfriendAriannawasscaredbecause weendedupgettingthehorsesinthegateMeandherwerescaredbecausewethoughttherewas somethingwrongtowhytheywerenotoutsidethegateliketheotherones.Afterallthathorseback ridingwe...showmorecontent...
Asitstartedcomingdown,insteadofgettingitinthebottle,itendeduponthefloorIwasso scaredthatifItoldherthetruthshewouldgetonmesoinsteadIjuststartedwipingupeverything makingsurenonegetsintothecrackofthefloor.WeallsaidOhhSNAP!myfriendsstarted sprayingperfumeasIwascleaningitup.Whenmyteacherwalkedinthatnightshetookasniffand said¨what'sthatsmell¨Isaid¨that'sallthatperfumeallthatperfumtheywasspraying¨.Thenext dayIwokeupIthoughteverybodyforgotaboutitsothatnightwewenttothecampfireandmade s'moresuntilitstartedrainingandeverybodystartedrunningeverywhereaswegotbacktotheback roomtheysaid¨PICKLEJUICE¨everybodyturnedaroundandsaid"whoareyoutalkingto"oneof themsaidi'mtalkingaboutAyonnaweallstartedtolaughwethroughthebottleawayandbefore weIwalkeddownIwrotealetterthatsaid"Iusethebathroomonthefloorsowatchwhereyoustep youmightjuststepin
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Plav,Montenegroisasmall,poorvillageinEurope.Itistheplacewheremyparentswerebornand raised.EventhoughIwasborninBrooklyn,NewYork,IfeelIwasraisedinPlav,Montenegro,too. GrowingupinAmerica,wherethecultureandtraditionsaresodifferentfromthatofMontenegro,I wasfacedwiththeobstacleoftryingtobecomepartofmainstreamAmericawhilemaintainingmy owncultureEnteringkindergarten,IknewabsolutelynoEnglishIspokeSerbianwithmyparents, siblings,andgrandmaandhadnoonetoteachmeEnglish.IrememberbeingapartoftheESL class.Whilealltheotherkidslaughedandtalkedamongthemselves,Iwastryingtocomprehend whatmyteacherwassayingtomeAthome,whileIneededtopracticeEnglish,Iwastoldtospeak Serbian.AllIlongedforasachildwastofitinwithmypeers;toconform,tobelikethem.Yet,I struggledtofeelacceptanceinmyown"hometown."Duringlunchatschool,whileeveryonehada peanutbutterandjellysandwich,IhadaBulgariancheesesandwich.Ididnotunderstandhowthose birthdayinvitationsworked!Istruggledtodomyhomeworkwithoutbeingabletoreaddirections.It wasdifficulttoknowwhomIcouldtrust,soIrarelyaskedforhelpshowmorecontent Iwasessentiallylivingaduallife:Ineitherwantedtobeleftoutandisolatedatschool,nordidI wanttoignoremyfamilyandnativeculture.Becausemyparentswerefacingthesamechallenge, theycouldoffermenohelp.Ihadtosolvethisdilemmaonmyown.Iovercamethisobstacleby callingup,whatIconsidered,myinnerresources.Mywell–roundedness,versatility,andconfidence wereallvitalinhelpingmebecomethepersonIamtodayIhavefoundaharmoniousbalancein whichIcanbebothanAmericanand
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In2012,myfamilymovedtoBostonfromLosAngeles.Iwasnineyearsold,andtheideaof"new" wasscarytomebecauseIhadgonetothesameschool,withthesamepeople,inthesamesettingfor mywholelife.DespitethewelcomingfeelingfromPark,Iwasn'tashappyasIcouldhavebeen.As schoolandlifewentonIdidnotfeelmotivatedtomeetnewpeople,playnewsports,orlearnnew thingsLuckily,thisfixedmindsettransformedAfteraboutamonthofschool,myDadstarted tellingmybrothersandmeto"seizetheday,"everymorning.Thissayingplantedthebelieftomake themostofyourdayeveryday.Bysayingiteachmorning,myDadmadesureitwasalwayswith usandwewouldneverletitgoAsmyDadcontinuedtotellusto"seizetheday,"IfoundthatIwas happierasIwasmoreawareoftheamazingyetdifferentaspectsBostonhadtogiveandwasn't preoccupiedwiththethingsImissedaboutLosAngeles.showmorecontent Ijumpfromsports,toschool,tomylifeathomeandwithfriendsveryquickly,however,through thehustleandbustleoftheday,Itrytoconsistentlythinktomyself,"HowcanImakethemostout ofmytime?"becauseIknowhowluckyIamtohavetheseopportunitiesWhenIamonthefield,I trytoseizeeveryopportunitytogettheball.Whyletsomeoneelsegetitwhenyoucan?Duringa practice,Ipushmyselftorunfullspeedduringsprints;Iknowitisnotagame,however,inthelong run,itwillmakemeabetterplayer.Whenwritinganessay,whynottakethoseextra15minutesto editthepaperandmakeitexcellentbecauseIknowthisiswhatcouldgrantmetheA.WhenIam talkingtomygrandparents,whynotengage,thementorsinone'slifearewhatshapethem,andone needstotaketheopportunitytolearnasmuchastheycanfromthembecausetheywillnotalways be
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WhoamI?Suchasimplequestion:suchaprofoundlydifficultonetoanswer.Icouldtellyouthat mynameisRobJones,butthatwouldonlybemyname.IcouldtellyouthatIwouldliketobecome aprofessionalauthorandthatIhavestronglinguisticskillsandanartisticflair.Butthesearemerely reflectionsofwhoIam:giftsIpossessandtalentsIhaveperfected.IsupposeImuststartbytelling youwhatIam
Iamahumanbeing.Assuch,Ihaveseveraldistinctiveandinseparableparts.Thereismyphysical side:namelymybodywithallitsmanytangiblepartsThisisnotreallyme,thoughonthissideof thegreatveilIcouldn'tsurvivewithoutit.Youmayaswellsaythatthisbodyismerelyasuitthat housestherealshowmorecontent
WhatmakesmewhoIam?
Thereisonemoresideyetstill,andthissideisthemostenigmaticofthemall,themostmystical andcomplexaspectofmybeing.Somewouldevenarguethatitdoesnotexistaswhatisnotreadily tangibleorvisibledoesnoteasilyyieldtoanalysis.Andwhatmightthiselementbe?Thisismy deepestfacet,thecorethatholdsalltherestofmetogether–itismyspiritualside.Thisistheside thatsurfacesinmydreams,thesidethatunderstandswithintuition,thesidethatbridgesthegap betweenthephysicalworldandthespiritualworld,thesidethatsetsmeaboveandapartfrom animals.
Ihaveastrangelonging–everyhumandoes–forsomethingmoreIndeedlifemustoffersomething more.Asthelate,greatC.S.Lewispointsout,itwouldbeaterribleironyiftheuniversecould spawncreatureswhosemerelongingsweremorecomplexandcompellingthanitwasitself.No, wherethereisalongingthereisalwayssomethingtofillit.Nearlyeveryreligionprofessesto somethingmore.Perhapsthatistheanswer–perhapsthereisnothingonearthtofillthatlonging–perhapstheanswerliesintheeternalortheDivine
Heartacheandtraumacantaxthesoul,causingonetofeeloldbeforeone'stime.Yetthehopeofa brightertomorrowstilllingersSomethingdeepwithincontinuestoflicker,whisperingofsomething more.Unlessoneendsitallinamomentofirrationaloverload, ...Getmorecontent...
Haveyoueverwonderedwhatitwasliketoliveinaplacewhereitrainseveryday?Haveyouever wonderedwhatitwouldbeliketoliveonatotallydifferentplanetfromearth?Thisisthestoryofa girlnamedMargot,whohadlivedonEarthandhasmovedtotheplanetVenusacoupleyearsago. Venusisaplanetwhereitrainseveryday,andoncearoundeverysevenyearsthesuncomesoutfor anhourortwoThesekidsareatschoolwaitingforthesunthatthescientistshadpredictedtocome outtoday.Iwaswalkingtoschoolinthepouringdownrain.ItwasdarkeverydaysinceIhadmoved herefromtheplanetEarth.Ihadn'treallygottenalongwithmostofthekidshere.Theyallseemed differentfromthekidsIknewfromEarthThesekidsseemedtoalllosetheirhopeinbeingableto seeasunnydayforonceinaverylongtime.Afewoftheboysseemtoalwaysdislikeme.Thegirls arewhoIcangetalongwith,buttheydon'thavethesameinterestsasme.IfeellikeIamthe smartestoutofalltheshowmorecontent
Everyoneseemedtolosehopethatthesunwasgoingtocomeouttoday.Inevergaveuphope. Whileeveryonestartedtoplayinside,IwasstilllookingoutofthewindowWillsaidtome "Margotthesunwon'tcomeoutthisyear.Maybeit'snevergonnacomeout."Iignoredhimandstill juststaredoutthewindow.Itseemedliketherainstartedholdingupabit.Igotexcited,butIjust keptmyselfcontrol.
OutofnowhereIhearalltheboysrunningafterme.Theywereallsaying"pickherupandcarryher intothecloset!Hurrybeforetheteachercomes!"Icouldn'tgetoutoftheirgripTheyasateamwere toostrong.Thethrewmeintotheclosetandlockedmein.Ibangedonthedoorseveraltimes,butall IcouldhearisthelaughteroftheboysandNicksdistinctlaugh.Ifelthopeless.Icouldnotgetoutof thisclosetEvenifthesundidcomeouttherewerenowindowsinheretosee
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Devastation–it'sawordthatcanbedefinedinmultipleways.Inmyperspectiveit'saheart–rending eventthatresultsinanoverwhelmingshock.Atwhatagewouldanindividualbeabletohandle devastatingnews?Everyonehastheirownopiniononthat.Personally,Iwouldsaythatfourteen andupiswhereindividualsaremostadepttohandlingdifficultnews.Yet,there'sstillthelingering questionasto"howcanayoungchildhandledevastatingnews;howdoesheorshecopewith tragediesatsuchayoung,fragileage?"Well,Ilearnedtheanswertothisquestionfirsthand,when anunexpectedtragedyoccurred–changingmylifeforever.Igrewupasyourtypicalmilitarybrat, livingallaroundtheworldandgettingtoexperiencingmanyculturesWhenIwas10,myparents brokethenewsthatwewereonceagainmoving.Thistime,weweremovingfromTallahassee, FloridabacktoBavaria,Germany.Thus,IwasafflictedwiththethoughtthatIwouldhavetostart myshowmorecontent
WhenPacowasdiagnosedwiththebraintumor,allIknewaboutcanceratthetimewasthatevery year,itclaimsthelivesofalargenumberofpeopleSo,withsuchknowledge,IprayedforPacoto getbetter.Iprayedthatbecausehewasyoungandactiveinsports,hewouldbeattheodds,and ultimatelybeatingcancer.Afewshortmonthsfollowingthetestresult,Pacoandhisfamilymoved backtoTexas.IkeptintouchwithhimviaFacebookandthroughupdatesfromhismother.Then, thatdreadfuldayarrived.Oneday,Icamehomefromschool,sawmymominthekitchen,and greetedasIusuallydidThisparticulardayhowever,ratherthanmymomaskingaboutmyday,I immediatelysensedthatsomethingwaswrong.Mymomlookedatmeandsaid"Ihavesomenews foryouson."Then,sheproceededtotellmethatPaco'scancerhadbecomeaggressive,andhis parentsanddoctorswerelookingattimetablesforhowmuchtimehehad ...Getmorecontent...
UpuntilhighschoolIhadbeenastraightAstudent.Elementaryschoolwasabreezewithcoloring sheetsandconstantpatsontheback.Middleschoolwasmoredifficult,butstillprovidedasimilar environmentfilledwithconstantpositivereinforcements.Highschoolwasadifferentworld.
Suddenly,IwentfromsippingajuicepouchinthesmallcafeteriaofThoreauDemonstration AcademytothehustleandbustleofaMemorialHighSchoolhallway.IfeltasthoughIhadbeen senttoadifferentplanet.Therewerekidswhoweredoingdrugs,kidswhohadkids,andprobably themostfrighteningofall,teacherswho'sjobwasnottohandoutgoldstarseverytimeIdid somethinggood,buttoteach,andthatwasit.
Ididnottrulyexperiencethetraumaofmytransitionthough,untilIenteredmyfifthhourbiology classfreshmanyear.Irememberonthefirstdaywewereaskedwho...showmorecontent... SittingthereImumbled,"Victoria,youarenotinmiddleschoolanymore,"whichwastrueIwas notamiddleschoolerandthiswasnotamiddleschoolteacher.Iwasdoingmiddleschoolworkand Iwasn'tsteppingupandtakingthechallengeandthatwaswhathewaslookingfor.Hewaslooking forthepersonwhosteppedupandwentaboveandbeyond,thatwaswhodeservedanA.Ifinished theyearwithaB,butthatiswhatIearnedandIownuptothat.
Itmayhavetakenmethreeyears,butIactuallyappreciatethatteachernow.Itsoundscrazybecause whywouldIappreciatethemanwhoruinedmyperfectrecord?BecauseIneededitruinedandit wasnothisfault,itwasmineIneededtheegodeflationitbroughtandIneededtoknowwhatthat Bfeltlike.DuringmytimeatMemorial,IhavehadthatteacherthreetimesandeverytimeI'vehad him,IhavereceivedagradebelowanA.Idon'tresenthimforitthough,Iappreciate
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WhenIjoinedthemilitary,IhadabsolutelynoideawhatIwasgettingmyselfinto.Itisoneofthe mainreasonswhyIdecidedtojointheReservesandnotActiveduty.Theothermainreasonwas becauseIknewtheReserveswouldstillpayforcollegewhileIwasonlyactiveoneweekenda month.GrowingupinKilleen,Texas–IwasrightbesideoneofthelargestArmypostwhichisFort HoodIhadalotoffriendswhoseparentswereinthemilitary,andtwodistantcousinswhowere alsointheservice.AllIknew,(orthoughtIknew)wastheyhadgoodmoney.
WhenIlefttoBasicTraining,itwasthefirsttimeIhadeverlefthome.ItwaseventhefirsttimeI hadeverbeenonanAirplaneImetsomanypeoplewhowerefrommanydifferentlocations Killeenisverydiverse–probablybecauseitisamilitarytown.Imetpeopleinbasictrainingwho hadactuallyneverseenaHispanicorblackpersonuntilthen.Itwasinterestingtolearneveryone's storyandallthedifferentpurposesofwhyshowmorecontent
Myfatherwasalwaysgettingdrunkandlightingwithmymother.Noonewaspushingmetoget biterTherewastoomuchnegativeenergy
ItwasnotlikethatwhenIwasactivelytrainingintheAirForce.Iwasconstantlybeingpushedto bebiter.Iwasaroundpeoplewhohadgoalsandwantedbiterfortheirlife.Iwasgivenmany opportunitiestofurthermyeducationandvolunteerwiththecommunity.Iwasworkingoutevery dayandeatinghealthy.IwasawayfromeverythingIhadeverknownandithelpedmeinmyself.It helpedmefigureoutthatIwantedalittlemorefrommylifeIthelpedmerealizemypotential Thatiswhatmadememakethedecisiontoleaveonceagain.WhatotherplacethanAlaskaight?
WhenIstartedUAA,Ididn'twanttomessupagainasIhaddoneinCommunityCollege.Icamein witha19GPAItwasprettyembarrassinghandingovermytranscriptsIquicklyjoinedthe AFRTTCaftermyfirstyearat
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Ihaveencounteredmanyofmypeerstakingdrugs,listenedtosongsaboutdrugsandevenseen drugsromanticizedonsocialmedia.Likemostteenagers,Ilivedinaworldsurroundedbydrugs, butIhadneverhadanexperiencewiththem.Icamefroma"picture–perfect"familyandpriortomy freshmanyearofhighschool,Iwassomewhatnarcissistic,believingthatIwastoogoodtoevenbe associatedwithdrugsItwasAugust2012,thesummerbeforemyfreshmanyearofhighschool,and mylifeseemedassoundasever.Iwasexcitedtobeginthenextstepinmylifeandlookedforward tostartingschool.AstheweekspassedandIwasreturningtomynormalacademicroutine,my parentsbeganactingstrangelyuneasyIknewtherewassomethingwrongIquestionedmyparents' behaviorandatfirstreceivedfewvaluableanswersinreturn....showmorecontent...
Throughhisstruggle,Igainedmuch–neededcompassionandunderstanding.Priortothistransition, Iwasunsympatheticandinsensitivetoothersandtheirstruggles.Iamnowabletoplacemyselfin thepositionofotherstounderstandtheircircumstances.Inolongerjudgeothersbasedsolelyonmy initialthoughtsIusedtofearthediscoveryofmybrother'sproblemwoulddistortothers' perceptionsofme,now;Iamnolongerrestrainedbywhatisregardedofme.Today,Iamthankful forthecircumstancesIwentthroughandproudofthepersonitshapedmetobe.Throughmy brother'sdisease,Idiscoveredasenseofindependenceinmyself.Iamnowself–reliantandno longerseekhelpinsituationsthatIamcapableofcontrolling.Mycharacterhasevolved tremendouslyandIhavegainedimportantqualitiessuchascompassionandsympathyMybrother hasnowbeensoberforovertwoyearsandasIpreparetotakethenextstepinmylifeandventure tocollege,IamgratefulfortheeventsIunderwentastheyaidedmytransitionfromchildhoodto
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Isitwithmyfeetcrossedinoneofthetwochairs,holdingaBetterHomeandGardensmagazineto distractmefromthesterileviewsandsmellsofamedicaloffice.Afterfindingnoresolveformy stressinthepages,IglanceupandimmediatelyspotwhatlookslikeanEXITsign,butitslettering shoutsatme,¨AUTHORIZEDONLY,MAGNETISALWAYSON.¨Then,myvisioniscaught again,andIlookdownbelowthetwovastwhitedoorsandtherelayamassiveblackrugItalso screams,¨AUTHORIZEDONLY,THEMAGNETISALWAYSON¨inthesamebig,chunky,red fontasthesignhangingabove.Thewordscryouttomeasiftowarnmeofwhatistocomefrom behindthosedoorsIlookdownandtwiddlemylockerkeyinmyhandanxiouslyasIwaitforthe RadiologyTechnologisttopickmeupfromthesmallwaitingroom.***Fivedayspriortothis moment,Iamsittingonamedicalexamtableswingingmylegsbackandforthanxiously."Emily,it isyourturntoseeDr.Prao,"mytrainercallsforme.Iwalktotheexamtableinthesmallroomand sitdownwhileshefinishestypingnotesonthepreviousstudent–athlete.Sheturnsandgreetsme withawarmsmileonthischillyJanuaryafternoon"Howareyoufeeling,Emily?"Afteraskingme anarrayofquestions,thedoctorinspectsmyshouldermovementandwatchesmyshoulderbladesas Iperform...showmorecontent...
Astheearplugsswelltofillmyearcanal,hervoicegrowslowerandlowerandIinhaledeeplyto avoidmybloodpressurefromrising.Thetechnologistplantsanotherpillowbeneathmykneesfor comfortandtucksmetightlyintotheblankettokeepmewarmTurningswiftlyandwalkingtoa shelfwithmanydifferentsleeves,shepicksoneup,walksbackovertowhereIlay,andhugsit aroundmyrightshoulderwiththeblanketwrappedoverittoholdthedevicein
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AllorNothingMyeyespopopentothesoundofmyphoneblaring"TurnmySwagon"bySoulja Boy.Hesitantly,Irolloutofbedtoseethesun–whisperingthroughmywindow–promisingme anotherwarmday.KnowingthatIhadtobeoutofthedoorinthirtyminutes,Iswiftlydressed myself,chuggedmymorningsmoothie,grabbedmybag,andranoutthedoor.Whiledepartingform myhousetoAtlanta,ajourneyIhaddonetoomanytimestoocount,IrecallthefirsttimethatIhad madethisverytrip."ButDad,Idon'twannadrive!"Iwhined,eventhoughtherehadbeennotime forthat;wehadtwohoursofopenhighwaytoconquer.Ihadfeltbutterfliesaddingtomystomach witheverymilecloserthegpsinformedmeIwasgettingtothepracticeshowmorecontent Ihadbeenreadyforpractice.ItwasonlywhenIhadfinallygottenback,sittinginthesameconcrete bleacherswatchinganothergroupofathletespractice;Ihadbeguntofeelnervous.Unlikethe minicamp,Ihadattendedthedaybefore;theathleteswerethrowingaforeignobjectthatIhadnever seenorheardofbefore–theweight.CoachRondaandIwalkeduptothetenniscourtsthatwere paralleltothetrackIhadaweightinhand,andwhileshehadbeenexcitedtoteachme,wasfar moreexcitedabouthavingsomeoneintheclubthatisastallasher.Atfirstsheshowedmeposition one,two,andthree.Weputthethreestepstogether,andpracticeduntilthepositionsofmyturns wereacceptable.Whatfeltlikeeternity,butinallrealityhadonlybeenaboutanhour,itwasfinally timeforshotput!CoachMikewaspouringsomuchinformationintomysaturatedmindlikehowI shouldbeliftingwithmyhips,strikingmyarmoutoverthetoeboardwhileIreleasedtheshotput, andthemostimportantthinghehademphasized,wasthatIneededtogetfaster.Alltoosoonithad beentimetoheadbackhome.Whileheadinghome,ofcoursemydadwantedtotalkaboutpractice hadgone,ItoldhimthattherewasnowayIcouldevergobacktobasketballknowinghowmuch throwingcouldholdinstorefor ...Getmorecontent...
TheEventSittinginthefrontseatofmybassboatcastingaspinnerbait,theweatherwasperfect.It wasabout55degreesandsunny.Afterreelinginaboutathree–poundbass,IthoughtIwouldbe ecstatic,butIwasn't.Somethingjustdidn'tfeelright,kindoflikewhenyou'reabouttodo somethingveryscaryandyourstomachturnsinnervousness.Idrovebacktothecabin/houseand wentupstairsIknewthatwhateverwasabouttohappenwouldpermanentlychangemylifeforever WhenIgotupstairs,mydadwasnothomesoIwentuptothegaragetowaitforhim.Whenhe pulledup,hisfacewaspale,hewassweatingasifhewasadog,andwascomplainingaboutchest painIrandownstairsasfastasIcouldandtolduncleTerri(formershowmorecontent
TheridetoLakeRegionalHospitalwasabout45minuteslongandevery30secondsmygrandpa andUncleTerriwouldtrytotalktohimandgethimtoanswerback."Whydon'twejustcallan ambulance?"Iasked,confused."Becausewe'realreadyinthecar!"Grandpamadeasmartremark thatItriednottopayattentiontorightnow.WefinallygottoLakeRegionalHospitalandtherewas notalotofpeoplethere,consideringitwasautumnandmostpeoplecomeinthesummerSincemy grandpadidn'tknowallofmydad'spersonalinformation,Ihadtofillitin.Itseemedlikethepeople atthehospitalwantedmetowriteafive–pageessaybecauseittookmealmostanhourtofigureit allout.Inthemeantime,theytookmydadintoemergencysurgeryandputeitheroneortwostents intohisarteries.NobodywouldtellmewhatwasgoingonsoIhadtojustsitinthewaitingroom andwaitUncleTerrifinallycameoutandexplainedthatoneofhisarterieswascompletelyblocked buttheyopeneditupandputastentintoit."It'sgoingtobeokbuddy!"Heexclaimed,tryingto comfort
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NarrativeEssayWriteatwo(ormore)pageessayinwhichyouwilltellapersonalnarrative(story) inthefirstperson.Youareencouragedtoshareamemoryorstorythatyouwouldbecomfortable sharingwithmyselfandtheentireclass.Remember,youraudienceisyourfellowstudentsorpeers. Althoughnotopicisoff–limitsandnocensorshipisrequired,pleasedonotshareastorythatwould makeyouuncomfortabletoshareEveryonehasstoriestotell,butpleaseperusethroughothershort narrativeaccountstogetasenseofhowtheydevelop.Reader?sDigestisagoodsourceforthis,or personalaccountsfrommagazines,orthe?ThisIBelieve?seriesonNPR.Anarrativeessaydepends onanarrativethatisprofoundandmemorable,life–changingandhopefullyinterestingand/or entertaining.Atriptothegrocerystore,unlesssomething...showmorecontent...
Uniqueandengagingtitle?Introductionwithanattentiongetter?Themeorthesis:usuallythe lessonlearned?Backgroundofthecomplicationorconflict?Complicationorconflict?Engaging andrelatablecharacter(s)?Plotwithevents?Vividdetails?engagethesenses?Resolutionorwrap upofthecomplicationinaclearconclusionIfyoudouseoutsidesources,pleaseciteusingproper MLAdocumentationormakeclearintheessaywhatyoursourceis.However,thesourcemustbe relevanttothenarrativeitself.Aworkscitedpageisnotrequired.Assessment:Yourproposalis worth15%ofyouroverallgradeandworth100points.?Content:Howthoughtfullyandthoroughly youwriteabouteachrequirednarrativesection,withvividdetail.50points.?Organization:How clearlyideasandinformationarearrangedwithinandbetweenparagraphsUseofMLAstyleand properflow.30points.?Style:Howeffectivelyyouusewordchoiceandsentencestoconveyideas. 20points.Duedates:?Outline(onthissheetoryoucanmakeyourown)broughttoclassforan activityonMon
APersonalnarrativeissomewhatofapersonalessaywrittenaboutsomethingtragicorinformative thatthewriterhasexperienceandtryingtoencouragethereadertolearnfromhis/herpast.Writing anessaycomewithitsownsetsofchallengessuchasproducingideasthatcanbebothsolidand entertaining.Forme,apersonalnarrativeisanessaythatinvolvesmeexpressingmyideology, creativity,andhiddenemotionsTherearemanythingsthatItakeintoperspectivewhenwritingan appealingpersonalnarrativeessay.Thekeypointsinwritingtheessayistheconveyinformationby providingimportantdetailsthatsparkinterestandenthusiasmtothereader.
ThetopicIamchoosingformypersonalnarrativeentirelyrevolvesaroundthe ...Getmorecontent...
PersonalNarrativeMyLife
Ineverreallythoughtaboutwheremylifewasgoing.IalwaysbelievedlifetookmewhereIwanted togo,IneverthoughtthatIwastheonewhotookmyselfwereIwantedtogo.OnceIenteredhigh schoolIchangedthewayIthoughtThisiswhyIchosetogotocollegeIbelievethatcollegewill givemethekeystounlockthedoorsoflife.ThiswayIcanchooseformyselfwhereIgoinsteadof someonechoosingforme.
IhavechosentogotothelocalcommunitycollegetogetusedtothecollegeexperienceCollege lifecanbeanexcitingtimebutatthesametimeitcanbeachallenge.Ifeelthatstartingoutatthe communitycollegewouldbeabetterchosethan"jumping"intolifeatashowmorecontent IknowthisiswhatIwanttodowithmylife.Iwanttobeapositiveinfluenceinthelivesof children.Iwanttobeabletostandupandshowthechildrenthatitisokaytobeyourselfandstand upforwhatyoubelieveinIamawellroundstudentFornineyearsIwasactivelyinvolvedina girlsorganization.Thisexperiencetaughtmemanythings.Wewereactivelyinvolvedincommunity serviceactivities,forwhichIreceivedtheSilverAward.(Thesecondhighestawardinthe organization.)Ilearnedaboutthevalueoffriendshipandpatientswithothers.Thisorganizationfirst introducedmetomyfuturecareer.Iwasalsoinvolvedforthreeandahalfyearsinastudent governmentcluboncampusInthisclubIlearnedmanylifelessonsOneofwhichwasthevalueof hardwork.IwasoneofthefewpeoplethatorganizedtheJunior/SeniorPromof2000.My responsibilitiesincludedplanningcorranation,buyingandorganizingdecorations,planningthe busingschedule,bookingthephotographers,fundraising,ectThistaughtmeabouthardworkBut thebestpartofitwasgoingtoPromknowingIwasoneoftheonlyreasonsthatithappened.Asfar asschoolgoes,myscheduleisverydiverse.Iamtakingchilddevelopmentlab,whichisaclass wherestudentsfrommyhighschoolcangotothelocalelementaryschoolsandworkoneonone withthestudents.Ihaveworkintheelementaryschoolfortwoandahalfyears.I
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Look,Ididn'tdeserveit.Ididn'tacceptthefacts.Ididn'tunderstand.
ItallstartedwhenIheardthefamiliar,yetunexpected,dingofthedoorbell. Asanyonewoulddo,Iunlockedmyfrontdoortomycozylittleapartmentoutofcuriosityand openedit.Lookingbackonit,IwishIcould'vedoneanythingbutopenthatdoor.
Andthat'swhenIfounditTheletterwasordinaryandtraditionalSealedinapaleandthin envelope,itlookedasifitwasapersonwhohadn'tseenthesuninyears.Shinedonwiththedim streetlights,itrestedontherockyandroughsurfaceoftheapartmentfloorentrance,staringatme. Now,don'tbefooledTheoutsideoftheletterwasasstandardasalettercouldbe,butwhatwas insideiswhatchanged...showmorecontent...
Infact,itneverdid.LittledidIrealize,Iwaswastingthelittle,crucialtimeIhadleft.
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TimepassedasIremainedinthatkitchenchair.Untilthedoorbellbrokemeoutofmycontinuous, horrifictrainofthoughts,thatisIjumpedup,andsteppedtowardsthedoorThistime,Iwasabit moreskeptical.Whatifit'sanothernote?Ishookthethoughtasideandlistenedtologic.Iflicked thelockopen,grippedthedoorhandle,andswungthedooropen.Tomyrelief,itwasapolice officer.Themanlookedtobeinhislate20s.Hewasslender,suitedinblackjacketwithagolden badge.Withasetofdarkchocolateeyesthatmatchedhishair,andunintentionallynarrowed eyebrows,helookedtobeamanallaboutbusiness"Miss,whatwouldbetheproblem?"Itoldhim everythingthatItoldtheladyonthephone.Heresponsewasthesameashers."MayIseethe note?"Istartedtobringmyhandforward,butinsteadanoddsensecametome.Ifeltnothinginmy handIdon'trecallhavingsetitdownanywhere
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Embarrassed,IapologizedtotheofficerandaskedhimtostepinsidewhileIsearchedforit.A minutelater,IgavehimwhatIfound.
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I'mfeelingreadyheadingintothemidpoint.Iamkeepingupwiththereading,theassignments,and homework.IthinkwithmekeepingupwithallthatIamstayingontrackandfocused.Ihavebeen doingprettywellinthechapterreview(whichisreallyhelpful),andquizzes',andthatalsohelpsin mestayingontrack.
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Sittingatmydesk,workingonaspreadsheetwasthefirsttimeIrealizedthatIwasnotwhereIwas meanttobe.IhadnoideawhatIwassupposedtobedoingwithmylife.GrowingupinCleveland, inasingle–parenthousehold,therewasneverreallyexpectationsformeotherthantograduatefrom highschool.Iwasthefirstinthefamilytograduatefromcollege.IthoughtIhadeverythingfigured outIfinishedwithaBAinFinance,andwasabletosecureagreatjobasaninsurancerecruiter rightoutofcollege.Iwasabletotravelthecountry,andmetmanyinterestingpeople.Ican rememberaconversationwithawomaninUtahwhoaskedmewhatmypassionwas.Atthetime, moneywasreallytheonlypassionthatcametomindIdidnotrealizeitatthetime,butIhadno ideawhatmypassionwas.Ilatertookananalystjobwiththesamecompany,andwiththe promotioncamemoreshowmorecontent
HeryoungesthadcysticfibrosisandshelostherfirstsontoSIDSatonly6weeksold.Herex–husbandwasphysicallyandmentallyabusive.Youcouldnottellbylookingatherthough.Looking intohereyesyoucouldseeherstrengthShewasaverystrongperson,alwayscheerful,always independent.Shewasalwaysthereforus,sonaturallywhenshegotsickwewerethereforher.She wasdiagnosedwithstagefourovariancancer,whichshefoughtfornearlytwoyears.Shehadgood daysandbad,butsheneverletthecancerdestroyherspirit.Icanremembertheendvividly,my wifewaspregnantwithoursecondchild,andshewasdueinlessthanamonth.ItwasaMonday morning;shehadanappointmentwiththeoncologistHeronlyquestionforhimwas"canyouget meanothermonth?"Hisresponse"thereisnothingelsewecando".ThatFriday,athomeinherbed Iheldherhand,toldherhowmuchIlovedherandassuredherthatIwouldtakecareofmyyounger sisterShepassedawaythat
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War.Itiswhatdestroyedearthasweknewit.MostlyeveryoneintheUSAwastoldtogotowar againstCanadain2186.Childrenwereleftasorphans.Iwasoneofthosechildren.Ineverknewmy parents.Neverwillknowwhotheywere.
Fromtherubble,acitywasbuilt.Aplainsimpletownwiththebasicsofeverydayliving.Allhouse andeverydayneedshops;simple,plainandsmall.Thereisatallgreywallprotectingoursmallcity of596people,wherenottheonlyonesalivestillThecityisgreenandplantsfulloflifegreatfor crops,otherthanthatthereisnotalot.Alltechnologywaslostinthewar.Ifyouevercametoour citythefirstthingyouwouldseewouldbethebig,largewhitetowerleaningagentsourwall,it'sthe onlylifeIhaveknown.Afterthewarallyoungorphangirlswheregiventheopportunitytolivein thetower.Theonlyotherlifewholiveinthetowerareourleaders...ourtrainers.Theoldergirls, babiesandallboyscouldliveinthecityThereisnojailThereisnoneedAfteragroupof10teens rebelledagainsttheleaderstheywerebanishedformthesafetyofthewall.Theonlywayoutisa doorinsidethetower....showmorecontent...
Ilookupwithmycrystalblueeyes.A84smirksatme.
"Sorrysiritwillnothappenagain,"myvoicequivered "70pushups,"MrBridgfordsayswithnohesitation.
Igetupoffmyseatmyhandstouchthecoldhardground,mylonglightbrownhairfallsinmyface andIstartcounting"1,2,3,4..."
"ExcusesmeA90!"MrBridgfordyells."Iwanttoheryoucount,"HecanbeabitTemperamental sometimes
"Ihopewehavelearntourlessonladies,"heeyesmedown."NexttimeIwillnotbeasnice!Hurry alongtocombatclasswithyournewteacherMrsmith,Don'tstrollhurry
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"Yessir!"Iyell,"5,6,7......68,69,and70."
Itwasthefinalnightofthecampingtrip.Myfamilyhadcometothewoods,andhavingspenttwo daystoughingitoutinatent,wedecidedtotreatourselvesandstayinacabin.Thedaywaswell spentandincludedfishing,roastingmarshmallows,andplayinggameswithmymom,dad,andlittle sister,Payton.Understandably,allfourofuswereexhausted.ThingsstartedtogowrongwhenI enteredthecabinbedroomLateatnight,whenIconcludedeveryonehadwenttobedafter accidentallyfallingasleeponthepatio,IhastilywalkedintotheroomIsharedwithmysister. Throughthedark,Isawafaintoutlineofherblondehaironthetopbunk.Afterquietlyslippinginto bed,Ibegantohearquiet,timoroushummingcomingfromaboveme
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