2. Discussing drinking habits is a lot less taboo than drinking in high school.
3. At certain times of the day, you have to fight to find a parking spot.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Brainstorming for Commentary
1. When walking through campus, I've noticed that about 1 every 3 people are smoking.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Memoir (Final Draft)
May 17, 2001: We had been sitting in the car for nearly 3 hours, watched 2 movies, eaten just about every snack we brought and my butt was slowly getting numb. Wanting to jump out of the car and stretch was the only thing on my mind, but knowing that our destination was only minutes away made the wait well worth it because this was no ordinary family vacation. We were going to Disney's Vero Beach Resort to celebrate the birthdays of my siblings and I. This is a place we had never gone to and the anticipation was building as we got closer and closer to the resort. There was my dad and my mom; hard workers who were so ready for a vacation and to spend time with their kids. There was my sister, Lauren; a 13-year old typical teenager who I always looked up to in all of her perfectionism and organizational skills. There was my brother, Greg; he was only 7 years old at the time. We always stuck together and were best buds through everything. And there was me; I was 10 years old, shy and quiet, but nonetheless extremely excited for this vacation. I remember spending months planning the vacation with my dad, looking up information on the resort like the Disney themed rooms and the giant waterslide that was by the pool. Being guests there was going to satisfy the Disney addicts within us. The sign passed with an arrow pointing in the right direction; "Disney's Vero Beach Resort". We made it! We pulled up to the front of the hotel. I remember observing everything about it. It was enormous (for a little 10-year old girl), it looked like a giant cabin straight out of the wilderness, and everything about the hotel was related to Disney. I couldn't have been happier taking my first steps out of that car to walk into this magical place. My family was just as excited as I was. As if it couldn't get any better, the inside was just as immaculate. The ceiling was as high as the sky with creative carvings that reached up to the top of it. The giant, beautiful chandeliers and the couches that seemed like they could seat a million that were inside the lobby made it look like a palace made for royalty. I peeked outside to see the famous waterslide, but was pulled over to the front desk by parents. It was time to check in and get settled. My mom had suggested going to the restroom, so my brother and I tagged along while my sister stayed with my dad to check in. I was even amazed by the bathrooms. This place couldn't get any better. My mom, Greg and I had just finished using the restroom and I could spot my sister walking over to meet us, but she was not with my dad. She was holding her arm with sad eyes, and was clearly upset. Something was wrong. My heart started pounding in my chest. I don't remember why I got so scared, but I had a gut feeling that there was bad news. Her walk over to us seemed like a lifetime of waiting. She reached us, looked up at my mom and simply said "Uncle Tony just died."
Uncle Tony was my father’s older brother. My dad had a sister that passed away when he was a young adult, another sister that passed away a few years ago, and has a younger brother whom we keep in touch with from time to time. Their parents divorced at about the time my dad got married, and my dad’s mother most recently passed away. Considering these circumstances among other things, they both had gone through a difficult childhood, but I like to think that my dad and Uncle Tony turned out to be the most successful adults out of the family. The two were definitely the closest of the siblings and maintained a strong, brotherly relationship for their entire lives. Uncle Tony was an accomplished businessman, who had retired early in life and had bought a huge, beautiful house on Sanibel Island. He had everything in the world going for him, and it seemed like his life was just beginning. Of all the relatives of my extended family, he had the most active role in my life. Because he was a close family member, my family and I would go to his house and spend the weekend regularly on Sanibel Island. We also had a close relationship with his wife, Aunt Joanna and his daughter, Maria Rose. My uncle had also adopted two sons, Jesse and Elijah and raised them as his own. I always had a good sense of family when we were all together. He had such a good heart and was someone that I enjoyed being around. We would often go on his fishing boat with the family. This was always a fun event for everyone, and I had even experienced my first boat ride and bruised butt from hitting a wave and bouncing onto the deck, all with my Uncle Tony. These are the things that I’ll always remember about him. Even though we had such good times, that same boat happened to be the very thing that caused the death of my Uncle Tony.
It was a beautiful, sunny day out on the ocean. My Uncle Tony and cousins, Jesse and Elijah, were out on the boat, fishing and spending time together. They were on their way in back to the dock when my uncle decided to let my cousin Jesse run the boat. By accident, Jesse hit a phantom wake of a ship and lost control. This caused Uncle Tony to get ejected from the boat at high speed and he was killed by the propellers.
My dad found this out while he was checking in to the resort. Hearing those words from my sister was nothing more than a complete shock for my mom, brother, and I who had just walked away to go the bathroom. My mind suddenly launched itself into a dreamlike state, and nothing seemed real. It wasn't happening. My mom burst into tears along with my brother and sister. We found my dad. He looked shocked as well. I had never seen my dad like this. I was so confused. I wanted to cry, but I didn't know why. It hadn't hit me. The reality was that it was happening. “Don’t worry about it, I will take care of it sir,” said the lady at the front desk who seemed to be just as shocked. We were suddenly back at the front of the hotel, speaking to valet parking to get our car back. I had felt so selfish. “Why are we leaving,” was all I could think. It was the vacation we had all been waiting for! We got in the car, I looked at my mom and dad, and they were standing outside the doors, hugging and crying. It hit me. My parents were sobbing, so I started to sob. I wanted them to stop crying. I wanted to stay and be on vacation. I wanted all of it to just stop.
We pulled over to the side of the hotel and sat in the car for a while. We were all just sitting there, crying. I remember my mom asking how we were feeling. “I feel like this is a dream,” I said, and I really meant it. How could a situation go from being so perfect, to so horrible and tragic in such a short time? Again, I felt so confused, and it didn’t make sense to me. I don’t think that I actually comprehended the fact that my uncle just died. I was young and nothing like this had ever happened within the family that I actually witnessed. It was the first time I truly experienced a sudden death in our family. I hated it.
It was time to leave the resort. We got on the road again, and drove for a good amount of time. The drive was a blur to me. I remember stopping at Cracker Barrel for food. The dinner was silent and uncomfortable, still feeling like a dream. My dad didn’t want any food. I could tell the waitress was confused. I could only imagine what my dad was feeling at that time. Uncle Tony’s death happened at a time where he was just settling into life. It was very ironic. There was my dad, going through another death of a close sibling whom he looked up to and had always had a special relationship with. My dad is my hero, for this reason and more. Throughout every devastating and tragic event in his life that could easily tear a person down, my dad has overcome with great stability and thankfully has developed a solid rock to fall back on; his wife and children. I could never be more proud to call him my father.
Looking back on this event, I can now say that I understand what occurred. I was so bewildered at that time because I was just a kid who was ready to be on vacation with her family, and suddenly a close family member was out of our lives. It all happened so fast and I never had time in the day to really reflect. Now I see that I was confused because I didn’t recognize the importance and the gift I was given by having Uncle Tony in my life. I took for granted the fact that he was alive, as I did my whole family. At that age, it is normal for a little girl to act that way. The saying “You don’t know what you have till it is gone” holds true. Although I didn’t know what I had even when he passed, I know now. I know I had one hell of an uncle that was taken from my family way too soon. He was sincere, caring, dependable and admirable. I’m glad to have had in my life even if it was for a short time. His memory will be with me for the rest of my life.
We had finally gotten home, and it was way past dark. I headed to my room to unwind and get ready for bed, when I heard what sounded like weeping. I walked out into the kitchen to find my mother crying with the phone to her ear. My dad was by her side curious as well as to why she was upset. “It was Uncle Tony,” she muttered. “He left a message saying Happy Mother’s Day”. My mom had listened to his voice over the phone through that message for one last time. Some may think of this as very strange and ironic, which is what I felt at the time, but now I like to think that it happened for a reason. The whole day was going one way, and ended up going the complete opposite way because of this unexpected tragedy. Everyone’s heads were in different places, and it had been a prolonged 24 hours of excitement and anticipation to devastation and shock. It was a wonder as to how and when this day was going to end. Knowing that we had a message this whole time waiting for us to get home gives me the feeling that it was supposed to be a sense of closure for the family. This long, frenzied day needed an ending. A conclusion. And I believe that voicemail was it. It was Uncle Tony’s goodbye.
Uncle Tony was my father’s older brother. My dad had a sister that passed away when he was a young adult, another sister that passed away a few years ago, and has a younger brother whom we keep in touch with from time to time. Their parents divorced at about the time my dad got married, and my dad’s mother most recently passed away. Considering these circumstances among other things, they both had gone through a difficult childhood, but I like to think that my dad and Uncle Tony turned out to be the most successful adults out of the family. The two were definitely the closest of the siblings and maintained a strong, brotherly relationship for their entire lives. Uncle Tony was an accomplished businessman, who had retired early in life and had bought a huge, beautiful house on Sanibel Island. He had everything in the world going for him, and it seemed like his life was just beginning. Of all the relatives of my extended family, he had the most active role in my life. Because he was a close family member, my family and I would go to his house and spend the weekend regularly on Sanibel Island. We also had a close relationship with his wife, Aunt Joanna and his daughter, Maria Rose. My uncle had also adopted two sons, Jesse and Elijah and raised them as his own. I always had a good sense of family when we were all together. He had such a good heart and was someone that I enjoyed being around. We would often go on his fishing boat with the family. This was always a fun event for everyone, and I had even experienced my first boat ride and bruised butt from hitting a wave and bouncing onto the deck, all with my Uncle Tony. These are the things that I’ll always remember about him. Even though we had such good times, that same boat happened to be the very thing that caused the death of my Uncle Tony.
It was a beautiful, sunny day out on the ocean. My Uncle Tony and cousins, Jesse and Elijah, were out on the boat, fishing and spending time together. They were on their way in back to the dock when my uncle decided to let my cousin Jesse run the boat. By accident, Jesse hit a phantom wake of a ship and lost control. This caused Uncle Tony to get ejected from the boat at high speed and he was killed by the propellers.
My dad found this out while he was checking in to the resort. Hearing those words from my sister was nothing more than a complete shock for my mom, brother, and I who had just walked away to go the bathroom. My mind suddenly launched itself into a dreamlike state, and nothing seemed real. It wasn't happening. My mom burst into tears along with my brother and sister. We found my dad. He looked shocked as well. I had never seen my dad like this. I was so confused. I wanted to cry, but I didn't know why. It hadn't hit me. The reality was that it was happening. “Don’t worry about it, I will take care of it sir,” said the lady at the front desk who seemed to be just as shocked. We were suddenly back at the front of the hotel, speaking to valet parking to get our car back. I had felt so selfish. “Why are we leaving,” was all I could think. It was the vacation we had all been waiting for! We got in the car, I looked at my mom and dad, and they were standing outside the doors, hugging and crying. It hit me. My parents were sobbing, so I started to sob. I wanted them to stop crying. I wanted to stay and be on vacation. I wanted all of it to just stop.
We pulled over to the side of the hotel and sat in the car for a while. We were all just sitting there, crying. I remember my mom asking how we were feeling. “I feel like this is a dream,” I said, and I really meant it. How could a situation go from being so perfect, to so horrible and tragic in such a short time? Again, I felt so confused, and it didn’t make sense to me. I don’t think that I actually comprehended the fact that my uncle just died. I was young and nothing like this had ever happened within the family that I actually witnessed. It was the first time I truly experienced a sudden death in our family. I hated it.
It was time to leave the resort. We got on the road again, and drove for a good amount of time. The drive was a blur to me. I remember stopping at Cracker Barrel for food. The dinner was silent and uncomfortable, still feeling like a dream. My dad didn’t want any food. I could tell the waitress was confused. I could only imagine what my dad was feeling at that time. Uncle Tony’s death happened at a time where he was just settling into life. It was very ironic. There was my dad, going through another death of a close sibling whom he looked up to and had always had a special relationship with. My dad is my hero, for this reason and more. Throughout every devastating and tragic event in his life that could easily tear a person down, my dad has overcome with great stability and thankfully has developed a solid rock to fall back on; his wife and children. I could never be more proud to call him my father.
Looking back on this event, I can now say that I understand what occurred. I was so bewildered at that time because I was just a kid who was ready to be on vacation with her family, and suddenly a close family member was out of our lives. It all happened so fast and I never had time in the day to really reflect. Now I see that I was confused because I didn’t recognize the importance and the gift I was given by having Uncle Tony in my life. I took for granted the fact that he was alive, as I did my whole family. At that age, it is normal for a little girl to act that way. The saying “You don’t know what you have till it is gone” holds true. Although I didn’t know what I had even when he passed, I know now. I know I had one hell of an uncle that was taken from my family way too soon. He was sincere, caring, dependable and admirable. I’m glad to have had in my life even if it was for a short time. His memory will be with me for the rest of my life.
We had finally gotten home, and it was way past dark. I headed to my room to unwind and get ready for bed, when I heard what sounded like weeping. I walked out into the kitchen to find my mother crying with the phone to her ear. My dad was by her side curious as well as to why she was upset. “It was Uncle Tony,” she muttered. “He left a message saying Happy Mother’s Day”. My mom had listened to his voice over the phone through that message for one last time. Some may think of this as very strange and ironic, which is what I felt at the time, but now I like to think that it happened for a reason. The whole day was going one way, and ended up going the complete opposite way because of this unexpected tragedy. Everyone’s heads were in different places, and it had been a prolonged 24 hours of excitement and anticipation to devastation and shock. It was a wonder as to how and when this day was going to end. Knowing that we had a message this whole time waiting for us to get home gives me the feeling that it was supposed to be a sense of closure for the family. This long, frenzied day needed an ending. A conclusion. And I believe that voicemail was it. It was Uncle Tony’s goodbye.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Memoir Draft
May 17, 2001: We had been sitting in the car for nearly 3 hours, watched 2 movies, eaten just about every snack we brought and my butt was slowly getting numb. Wanting to jump out of the car and stretch was the only thing on my mind, but knowing that our destination was only minutes away made the wait well worth it because this was no ordinary family vacation. We were going to Disney's Vero Beach Resort to celebrate the birthdays of my siblings and I. This is a place we had never gone to and the anticipation was building as we got closer and closer to the resort. There was my dad and my mom; hard workers who were so ready for a vacation and to spend time with their kids. There was my sister, Lauren; a 13-year old typical teenager who I always looked up to in all of her perfectionism and organizational skills. There was my brother, Greg; he was only 7 years old at the time. We always stuck together and were best buds through everything. And there was me; I was 10 years old, shy and quiet, but nonetheless extremely excited for this vacation. I remember spending months planning the vacation with my dad, looking up information on the resort like the Disney themed rooms and the giant waterslide that was by the pool. Being guests there was going to satisfy the Disney addicts within us. The sign passed with an arrow pointing in the right direction; "Disney's Vero Beach Resort". We made it! We pulled up to the front of the hotel. I remember observing everything about it. It was enormous (for a little 10-year old girl), it looked like a giant cabin, and everything about the hotel was related to Disney. I couldn't have been happier taking my first steps out of that car to walk into this magical place. My family was just as excited as I was. As if it couldn't get any better, the inside was just as immaculate. The ceiling was so high with cool carvings along side the walls that reached up to it. The beautiful chandeliers and the big, comfy couches inside the lobby made it look like a palace. I peeked outside to see the famous waterslide, but was pulled over to the front desk by parents. It was time to check in and get settled. My mom had suggested going to the restroom, so my brother and I tagged along while my sister stayed with my dad to check in. I was even amazed by the bathrooms. This place couldn't get any better. My mom, Greg and I had just finished using the restroom and I could spot my sister walking over to meet us, but she was not with my dad. She was holding her arm with sad eyes, and was clearly upset. Something was wrong. My heart started pounding in my chest. I don't remember why I got so scared, but I had a gut feeling that there was bad news. Her walk over to us seemed like a lifetime of waiting. She reached us, looked up at my mom and simply said "Uncle Tony just died."
Uncle Tony was my father’s older brother. My dad had a sister that passed away when he was a young adult, another sister that passed away a few years ago, and has a younger brother whom we keep in touch with from time to time. Their parents divorced at about the time my dad got married, and my dad’s mother most recently passed away. Considering these circumstances among other things, they both had gone through a difficult childhood, but I like to think that my dad and Uncle Tony turned out to be the most successful adults out of the family. The two were definitely the closest of the siblings and maintained a strong, brotherly relationship for their entire lives. Uncle Tony was an accomplished businessman, who had retired early in life and had bought a huge, beautiful house on Sanibel Island. He had everything in the world going for him, and it seemed like his life was just beginning. Of all the relatives of my extended family, he had the most active role in my life. Because he was a close family member, my family and I would go to his house and spend the weekend regularly on Sanibel Island. We also had a close relationship with his wife and his daughter, Maria Rose. My uncle had also adopted two sons, Jesse and Elijah and raised them as his own. I always had a good sense of family when we were all together. He had such a good heart and was someone that I enjoyed being around. We would often go on his fishing boat with the family. This was always a fun event for everyone, and I had even experienced my first boat ride and bruised butt from hitting a wave and bouncing onto the deck, all with my Uncle Tony. These are the things that I’ll always remember about Uncle Tony. Even though we had such good times, that same boat happened to be the very thing that caused the death of my Uncle Tony.
It was a beautiful, sunny day out on the ocean. My Uncle Tony and cousins, Jesse and Elijah, were out on the boat, fishing and spending time together. They were on their way in back to the dock when my uncle decided to let my cousin Jesse run the boat. By accident, Jesse hit a phantom wake of a ship and lost control. This cause Uncle Tony to get ejected from the boat at high speed and he was killed by the propellers.
My dad found this out while he was checking in to the resort. Hearing those words from my sister was nothing more than a complete shock for my mom, brother, and I who had just walked away to go the bathroom. My mind suddenly launched itself into a dreamlike state, and nothing seemed real. It wasn't happening. My mom burst into tears along with my brother and sister. We found my dad. He looked shocked as well. I had never seen my dad like this. I was so confused. I wanted to cry, but I didn't know why. It hadn't hit me. The reality was that it was happening. “Don’t worry about it, I will take care of it sir,” said the lady at the front desk who seemed to be just as shocked. We were suddenly back at the front of the hotel, speaking to valet parking to get our car back. I had felt so selfish. “Why are we leaving,” was all I could think. It was the vacation we had all been waiting for! We got in the car, I looked at my mom and dad, and they were standing outside the doors, hugging and crying. It hit me. My parents were sobbing, so I started to sob. I wanted to them to stop crying. I wanted to stay and be on vacation. I wanted all of it to just stop.
We pulled over to the side of the hotel and sat in the car for a while. We were all just sitting there, crying. I remember my mom asking how we were feeling. “I feel like this is a dream,” I said, and I really meant it. How could a situation go from being so perfect, to so horrible and tragic in such a short time? Again, I felt so confused, and it didn’t make sense to me. I don’t think that I actually comprehended the fact that my uncle just died. I was young and nothing like this had ever happened within the family that I actually witnessed. It was the first time I truly experienced a sudden death in our family. I hated it.
It was time to leave the resort. We got on the road again, and drove for a good amount of time. The drive was a blur to me. I remember stopping at Cracker Barrel for food. The dinner was silent and uncomfortable, still feeling like a dream. My dad didn’t want any food. I could tell the waitress was confused. I could only imagine what my dad was feeling at that time. Uncle Tony’s death happened at a time where he was just settling into life. It was very ironic. Being older now, and looking back, I now understand how significant his death was for my family and especially for my dad. There he was, going through another death of a close sibling whom he looked up to and had always had a special relationship with. My dad is my hero, for this reason and more. Throughout every devastating and tragic event in his life that could easily tear a person down, my dad has overcome with great stability and thankfully has developed a solid rock to fall back on; his wife and children. I could never be more proud to call him my father.
We had finally gotten home, and it was way past dark. I headed to my room to unwind and get ready for bed, when I heard what sounded like weeping. I walked out into the kitchen to find my mother crying with the phone to her ear. My dad was by her side curious as well as to why she was upset. “It was Uncle Tony,” she muttered. “He left a message saying Happy Mother’s Day”. My mom had listened to his voice over the phone through that message for one last time. Some may think of this as very strange and ironic, but I like to think that it happened for a reason. The whole day was going one way, and ended up going the complete opposite way because of this unexpected tragedy. Everyone’s heads were in different places, and it had been a prolonged 24 hours of excitement and anticipation to devastation and shock. It was a wonder as to how and when this day was going to end. Knowing that we had a message this whole time waiting for us to get home gives me the feeling that it was supposed to be a sense of closure for the family. This long, frenzied day needed an ending. A conclusion. And I believe that voicemail was it. It was Uncle Tony’s goodbye.
Uncle Tony was my father’s older brother. My dad had a sister that passed away when he was a young adult, another sister that passed away a few years ago, and has a younger brother whom we keep in touch with from time to time. Their parents divorced at about the time my dad got married, and my dad’s mother most recently passed away. Considering these circumstances among other things, they both had gone through a difficult childhood, but I like to think that my dad and Uncle Tony turned out to be the most successful adults out of the family. The two were definitely the closest of the siblings and maintained a strong, brotherly relationship for their entire lives. Uncle Tony was an accomplished businessman, who had retired early in life and had bought a huge, beautiful house on Sanibel Island. He had everything in the world going for him, and it seemed like his life was just beginning. Of all the relatives of my extended family, he had the most active role in my life. Because he was a close family member, my family and I would go to his house and spend the weekend regularly on Sanibel Island. We also had a close relationship with his wife and his daughter, Maria Rose. My uncle had also adopted two sons, Jesse and Elijah and raised them as his own. I always had a good sense of family when we were all together. He had such a good heart and was someone that I enjoyed being around. We would often go on his fishing boat with the family. This was always a fun event for everyone, and I had even experienced my first boat ride and bruised butt from hitting a wave and bouncing onto the deck, all with my Uncle Tony. These are the things that I’ll always remember about Uncle Tony. Even though we had such good times, that same boat happened to be the very thing that caused the death of my Uncle Tony.
It was a beautiful, sunny day out on the ocean. My Uncle Tony and cousins, Jesse and Elijah, were out on the boat, fishing and spending time together. They were on their way in back to the dock when my uncle decided to let my cousin Jesse run the boat. By accident, Jesse hit a phantom wake of a ship and lost control. This cause Uncle Tony to get ejected from the boat at high speed and he was killed by the propellers.
My dad found this out while he was checking in to the resort. Hearing those words from my sister was nothing more than a complete shock for my mom, brother, and I who had just walked away to go the bathroom. My mind suddenly launched itself into a dreamlike state, and nothing seemed real. It wasn't happening. My mom burst into tears along with my brother and sister. We found my dad. He looked shocked as well. I had never seen my dad like this. I was so confused. I wanted to cry, but I didn't know why. It hadn't hit me. The reality was that it was happening. “Don’t worry about it, I will take care of it sir,” said the lady at the front desk who seemed to be just as shocked. We were suddenly back at the front of the hotel, speaking to valet parking to get our car back. I had felt so selfish. “Why are we leaving,” was all I could think. It was the vacation we had all been waiting for! We got in the car, I looked at my mom and dad, and they were standing outside the doors, hugging and crying. It hit me. My parents were sobbing, so I started to sob. I wanted to them to stop crying. I wanted to stay and be on vacation. I wanted all of it to just stop.
We pulled over to the side of the hotel and sat in the car for a while. We were all just sitting there, crying. I remember my mom asking how we were feeling. “I feel like this is a dream,” I said, and I really meant it. How could a situation go from being so perfect, to so horrible and tragic in such a short time? Again, I felt so confused, and it didn’t make sense to me. I don’t think that I actually comprehended the fact that my uncle just died. I was young and nothing like this had ever happened within the family that I actually witnessed. It was the first time I truly experienced a sudden death in our family. I hated it.
It was time to leave the resort. We got on the road again, and drove for a good amount of time. The drive was a blur to me. I remember stopping at Cracker Barrel for food. The dinner was silent and uncomfortable, still feeling like a dream. My dad didn’t want any food. I could tell the waitress was confused. I could only imagine what my dad was feeling at that time. Uncle Tony’s death happened at a time where he was just settling into life. It was very ironic. Being older now, and looking back, I now understand how significant his death was for my family and especially for my dad. There he was, going through another death of a close sibling whom he looked up to and had always had a special relationship with. My dad is my hero, for this reason and more. Throughout every devastating and tragic event in his life that could easily tear a person down, my dad has overcome with great stability and thankfully has developed a solid rock to fall back on; his wife and children. I could never be more proud to call him my father.
We had finally gotten home, and it was way past dark. I headed to my room to unwind and get ready for bed, when I heard what sounded like weeping. I walked out into the kitchen to find my mother crying with the phone to her ear. My dad was by her side curious as well as to why she was upset. “It was Uncle Tony,” she muttered. “He left a message saying Happy Mother’s Day”. My mom had listened to his voice over the phone through that message for one last time. Some may think of this as very strange and ironic, but I like to think that it happened for a reason. The whole day was going one way, and ended up going the complete opposite way because of this unexpected tragedy. Everyone’s heads were in different places, and it had been a prolonged 24 hours of excitement and anticipation to devastation and shock. It was a wonder as to how and when this day was going to end. Knowing that we had a message this whole time waiting for us to get home gives me the feeling that it was supposed to be a sense of closure for the family. This long, frenzied day needed an ending. A conclusion. And I believe that voicemail was it. It was Uncle Tony’s goodbye.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Memo
To: Mrs. Moody
From: Samantha Salerno
Based on the peer review, I'm doing a good job on indicating the main point of my memoir as well as engaging the reader. The detail of the introduction is portrayed to its fullest and the description of my family and the hotel is written effectively. According to my peer, everything that I tried for the reader to gain while reviewing this memoir was gained, which is good. In the review, my peer suggested that I should describe my family's reaction a little more when we find out about my uncle's death. I plan on doing so later in the memoir. The way I want to set up the memoir is to start with the introduction when we get to the hotel and abruptly find out about my uncle's death. Then, I want to jump back in time and explain who my uncle was and what he meant to my family and I. I'm going to finish up the memoir by continueing from where I left off in the introduction by explaining the rest of the story (including my family's reactions which is what my peer wanted me to talk about, how he died, us driving home, us getting home, etc.). I then want to close the memoir by showing how signifigant this event was in my life, and how looking back on it now, the things that didn't make sense to me when it happened do make sense to me now. I'll be able to reflect on how I was feeling and how I feel about it all now. By doing so, it'll make the feel of the memoir come full circle which seems to be the point of writing about these types of events.
From: Samantha Salerno
Based on the peer review, I'm doing a good job on indicating the main point of my memoir as well as engaging the reader. The detail of the introduction is portrayed to its fullest and the description of my family and the hotel is written effectively. According to my peer, everything that I tried for the reader to gain while reviewing this memoir was gained, which is good. In the review, my peer suggested that I should describe my family's reaction a little more when we find out about my uncle's death. I plan on doing so later in the memoir. The way I want to set up the memoir is to start with the introduction when we get to the hotel and abruptly find out about my uncle's death. Then, I want to jump back in time and explain who my uncle was and what he meant to my family and I. I'm going to finish up the memoir by continueing from where I left off in the introduction by explaining the rest of the story (including my family's reactions which is what my peer wanted me to talk about, how he died, us driving home, us getting home, etc.). I then want to close the memoir by showing how signifigant this event was in my life, and how looking back on it now, the things that didn't make sense to me when it happened do make sense to me now. I'll be able to reflect on how I was feeling and how I feel about it all now. By doing so, it'll make the feel of the memoir come full circle which seems to be the point of writing about these types of events.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Introduction to Memoir (draft)
May 17, 2001: We had been sitting in the car for nearly 3 hours, watched 2 movies, eaten just about every snack we brought and my butt was slowly getting numb. Wanting to jump out of the car and stretch was the only thing on my mind, but knowing that our destination was only minutes away made the wait well worth it because this was no ordinary family vacation. We were going to Disney's Vero Beach Resort to celebrate the birthdays of my siblings and I. This is a place we had never gone to and the anticipation was building as we got closer and closer to the resort. There was my dad and my mom; hard workers who were so ready for a vacation and to spend time with their kids. There was my sister, Lauren; a 13-year old typical teenager who I always looked up to in all of her perfectionism and organizational skills. There was my brother, Greg; he was only 7 years old at the time. We always stuck together and were best buds through everything. And there was me; I was 10 years old, shy and quiet, but nonetheless extremely excited for this vacation. I remember spending months planning the vacation with my dad, looking up information on the resort like the Disney themed rooms and the giant waterslide that was by the pool. Being guests there was going to satisfy the Disney addicts within us. The sign passed with an arrow pointing in the right direction; "Disney's Vero Beach Resort". We made it! We pulled up to the front of the hotel. I remember observing everything about it. It was enormous (for a little 10-year old girl), it looked like a giant cabin, and everything about the hotel was related to Disney. I couldn't have been happier taking my first steps out of that car to walk into this magical place. My family was just as excited as I was. As if it couldn't get any better, the inside was just as emaculate. The ceiling was so high with cool carvings along side the walls that reached up to it. The beautiful chandeliers and the big, comfy couches inside the lobby made it look like a palace. I peeked outside to see the famous waterslide, but was pulled over to the front desk by parents. It was time to check in and get settled. My mom had suggested going to the restroom, so my brother and I tagged along while my sister stayed with my dad to check in. I was even amazed by the bathrooms. This place couldn't get any better. My mom, Greg and I had just finished using the restroom and I could spot my sister walking over to meet us, but she was not with my dad. She was holding her arm with sad eyes, and was clearly upset. Something was wrong. My heart started pounding in my chest. I don't remember why I got so scared, but I had a gut feeling that there was bad news. Her walk over to us seemed like a lifetime of waiting. She reached us, looked up at my mom and simply said "Uncle Tony just died."
Brainstorming for Introduction to Memior
*Start by explaining the vacation
1. My family and I on the way to Disney's Vero Beach Hotel (explain each member of the family, who they are, how old, etc.)
2. The excitement and anxiousness we were all feeling about finally getting there
3. Finally arriving at the hotel & in awe about how beautiful the hotel was
4. The family split up: my mom, my brother & I went to the hotel bathroom, while my dad & my sister checked in
5. My sister came to us with the bad news that my Uncle Tony has died. My dad got the call while checking in.
What I am trying to accomplish with this introduction is a sort of happy mood that everyone can relate to which is going on vacation with your family to a new place. I want to show what a dramatic change in mood it was for my family & I when we got the news, going from excitement & happiness to extremely saddened & shocked.
1. My family and I on the way to Disney's Vero Beach Hotel (explain each member of the family, who they are, how old, etc.)
2. The excitement and anxiousness we were all feeling about finally getting there
3. Finally arriving at the hotel & in awe about how beautiful the hotel was
4. The family split up: my mom, my brother & I went to the hotel bathroom, while my dad & my sister checked in
5. My sister came to us with the bad news that my Uncle Tony has died. My dad got the call while checking in.
What I am trying to accomplish with this introduction is a sort of happy mood that everyone can relate to which is going on vacation with your family to a new place. I want to show what a dramatic change in mood it was for my family & I when we got the news, going from excitement & happiness to extremely saddened & shocked.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Invention
Ideas
1. Getting my car: the day I got my care and getting to drive it home
1. Getting my car: the day I got my care and getting to drive it home
- I had waited almost a year for it
- I put in 1,000 dollars of my own money for it
- I did the research on buying it & presented it to my dad
- I was not expecting to actually get it that day
2. September 11: the day America was attacked my terrorists, killing hundreds of people
- how I found out during school
- how scared I was
- how confused I was
- how it affected America
3. My Uncle Tony died: the day that he died & when my family and I found out
- my family and I were on vacation checking in to the hotel when my dad found out
- watching my parents, sister and brother cry
- feeling very confused
- feeling terrible for my dad
- having to drive all the way home after being so excited to be on vacation and just getting there
- looking back on it now, and understanding the situation more
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