10-Second Reading Exercise

As soon as I passed the park, I checked my cell phone to look at the time. It was 9:33. That meant that I only had 7 more minutes to get to class. I turned on Westminster where it met Weybosset, but then it started drizzling. A gust of wind prevented me from taking my next steps. I crossed the street and hurried to the CIT -- out of breath.

Manifesto

As I try to enhance my learning experience and shape my goals, I understand that I still have a lot of growing and improving to do. I constantly think about ways I can improve my work, my communication and social skills, and how I view myself. I understand that it takes time to find ways to cultivate my sense of identity because growth occurs only through a progression and understanding of one’s experiences and circumstances. As I continue to grow, I hope that I can further develop the skills to speak without feeling nervous and shy, to write without being doubtful about the way I express my thoughts, to create art without feeling like people will automatically shutdown my work, and to just be without feeling like I do not belong.

I Remember (Mother)

I remember sharing moments with my mother
I remember her soft chuckles of laughter when we would watch episodes of either The Honeymooners or The Golden Girls, late at night
I remember her dedication
I remember the hours she would spend making/sewing garments for her customers
I remember the swishing sounds of her sewing machine
I remember the small sweat-beads accumulating on her nose as she worked tirelessly
I remember the savory tastes of her home-cooked meals, and she would always ask me how does it taste in her sweet Bajan accent: “It taste good?”
I remember when she moved 3000 miles away
I remember the ongoing pain she dealt with because of her arthritis
I remember seeing her down
I remember her tears
I remember the last time I talked to my mother
I remember telling her I was coming home for Thanksgiving
I remember saying goodbye to my mother – the lump in my throat getting larger; trying to hold back my tears

(Dedicated to my beloved mother)
Written: 3.13.09
Revised: 4.4.09

~Patrice