Personal Memoir -- Response to Frank McCourt's "Angela's Ashes"

"He never brings home the money he earns on farms. That money seems to be different from the dole, which is supposed to be brought home. He takes the farm money to the pub and drinks it." (95)

"She hopes he might think of his family and pass the pub even once, but he never does. She hopes he might bring home something from the farm, potatoes, cabbage, turnips, carrots, but he'll never bring anything because he'd never stoop so low as to ask a farmer for anything." (95)

“Dad says I’ll understand when I grow up. He tells me that all the time now and I want to be big like him so that I can understand everything.  It must be lovely to wake up in the morning and understand everything.  I wish I could be like all the big people in the church, standing and kneeling and praying and understanding everything.” (108)

Frank McCourt's style of writing capture the attention of his readers by his story in a simple everyday format with twist, on a child's perspective. With his unique style, made his story interesting, and captive. Young Frank sees the positive side of things although in the eyes of many would conclude that what he experienced was very tragic. Thus, it maybe heartbreaking story, it still adds a humorous twist of an innocent mind of a speculating child. I believe that McCourt wanted to share his story to many because not everybody, mostly children,  are not completely aware on how to react on such situation therefore, they either deny it -- as adults -- or just play. So I think that's McCourt's message, it just depends on how you look at a situation. For him, it seemed to made him happy that his family was still complete despite of their loss, and the famine. 

Descriptive Source -- On a Historical Photograph

Prokudin-Gorskii's photo of a mother and mother nature.

A mother seats by the riverbank, by where the boats dock. When things get overwhelming, she comes here to relax. She casually wears a long black blouse shirt, a long maroon skirt up to her ankle, and a white cloth to cover her head. She had her shoes off, placed them beside her and have her foot dripped in the cool water. It is summer after all. She closed her eyes, exhaled deeply, and thought about her late son.
A year ago, she gave birth to her first born -- her stillborn son. It's a mother curse. The children way destroy their parents -- mostly their mothers. Just like the way humans destroy their mother -- Earth. Mothers of all kinds all share the same suffering, ironically, their suffering is also their happiness. 
Prokudin-Gorskii was heading to the town near by, when he saw the woman in a deep state. He decides to take a picture of her without her permission.

Descriptive Piece -- Response to Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood"

"Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is."(30)

"a person or persons unknown." (77)

"[Now free to do as he pleased,] the murderer killed them one by one, [each time carefully collecting the discharged shell.] When he had finished, he turned out all the lights and left." (82)

The first two phrases are every ironic. The first one, it's true they never knew when the time has come for you to part from this world. Certainly, the Clutters didn't expect that it'll occur soon, not on Thanksgiving week at least or anytime soon. The second one, technically, to the investigators the murderers are 'unknown'. But I think on Capote's perspective the murderers are much more than 'unknown', that they also have an identity, a past -- no different from us nor the Clutters. Lastly, I feel like the way Dewey describes the murderer is just doing his chores. Paraphrasing it to "he planted them [seeds] one by one" and when "he had finished, he watered them and left." Like murderers are immoral people, and it's completely normal that they murder, they show no mercy because they don't care.

Clearly, Capote's style in writing came from a different era, used simple words, excellent description of the characters and places. His writing grabs you from your chair to exact scenes that happened, as if you're a ghost that follows each characters, you feel the emotions, the shivers -- in cold blood.

Vignette -- Author's Notes

One-twenty-six-o-clock on a chilly autumn morning, a shadow sat in front of a brownstone house's staircase with the laptop light beaming at an innocent face with thick-rimmed glasses. Sipping a warm cup of tea as it's stares deep into New York City's starless abyss. Finally, front lights turned on, revealing the shadow of a fair skinned, shorthaired bedhead-style with a sharp-jawline young woman in her early 20s, lost in a deep thought. Suddenly interrupted by a voice. 

A childhood friend of mine inspired me to write this story about her traumatic childhood experience. Since she has been separated from her parents for basically her whole life, she have suffered from severe depression and breakdowns throughout her whole life. When I was writing this piece, all I could think about is how must have been painful for her growing up like that. I would like to include this piece on the final portfolio for this course and would revise it in a way where the ending would be mysterious and extend the story, add a few twist. I've wrote several short stories in my previous English writing courses and what I learned about vignettes or any creative non-fiction you basically make your own rules. It's my story, I could manipulate it however you like. I first started off writing with my smartphone and later transfered my thoughts down on my computer.

Vignette -- Telling a True Story Brainstorm

I have three things that I wanted to write about. The first thing I wanted to write about is a friend of mine,  and my guitarist, named Felipe, who been through a lot of downsides of life. He was involved in drugs, alcohol, a former navy and his story of getting back on his feet and how music save his life. Our conversations about his life in the navy, his use of drugs, his travels around the country and Central America with just one back pack and a guitar. I also wanted to write about my conversation with a girl about going away to college and how feels about her freedom. And finally, a conversation about a mentor and what is wisdom.

Introduction

I am Kim Bartolome, studying Liberal Arts - but thinking of changing to Psychology -  at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, NY. I chose ENG 274 because half of my original classes were canceled, in need of a full schedule, and thought this will be an interesting course. I have done essays, research papers, journals and blogs in both of my high school and college classes. In fact, when I was in high school, the seniors were required to have a portfolio of their best work throughout high school. It MUST consist of math and science project, a literary essay, research paper, native language piece, creative piece and a senior thesis. Also, I am a guitarist and vocalist - music is my passion, followed by video games, food and sleep. I have a dog name Robin and he is the sweetest thing in the world. He is half Poodle and half Shih tzu – black and white. He loves chicken and cauliflower. Since I love food, and who doesn't? I go to various restaurant, street fair or places in the city and eat out. I love to explore different culture, learn and understand them. I listen to classic rock and roll, jazz and classical music.