Images

Picnic on the Grass Alone

Faith Ringgold

The Independence

Samuel Walters

Writing to Father
1863
Eastman Johnson, American, 1824–1906
Oil on composition board

Street Singer

about 1862

Edouard Manet

Oil on canvas

Meditation by the Sea
early 1860s
Unidentified artist, American, mid-19th century, American, mid-19th century
Oil on canvas

Coming to America

Ours lives will never be the same. Today we packed up all our stuff and left. Our country is in bad shape. Everywhere I turn I see people begging for food and pleading for help. It is hard because people struggling with the same situations so it is difficult to find help. I look for work everyday, but there is no work available. I just do housework and hope that it will be enough to get by. We have to live day by day because we never know what will happen. 

My children cry all night long. They tell me that they're hungry. They're sick of eating stale and rotting bread. The taste is indescribable. It is hard and the after taste is so disgusting that there are no words I can use to try to explain it. I don't know what to do. Every single night my kids tell me that they miss their father. He was arrested when he got caught stealing. He didn't do anything wrong; he just wanted to feed his family. Everyone is stealing. There is no other way to get the food around here.

It is hard being the only adult in the house. I am so lonely. I miss my husband. I just want to talk to someone who understands me and  I do my best, but things are tough. My husband is not getting out anytime soon. The kids ask where he is, but I just say he is working for us.

We got on the boat that is taking us to the country of hope. We are going to America. We need to start our lives over again. In America, people can find work and they can make their lives as successful as they can. I want to provide for my children and make sure they have opportunities. They will be able to make their own choices. I won't let them depend on anyone because that will get them no where. They will learn the importance of working for what they want, and accomplishing their goals without anyone's help. They will have the option to make something of themselves, which is something that I never had.

Narrative 3...revamped.

Someone commented my previous blogged and suggested that I add to my narrative. I wasn't done before..now I am, and it has a catchy title.

Today is the day,
that I moved away

I just blew out 19 candles. My cake is circular and full of layers. The first layer is pink and the second one is purple. The cake is yellow and tastes like vanilla. The icing says "Happy Birthday". The frosting is very fluffy and it takes very sweet. You guessed it. I am 18 years old today. I live in Aventura, Florida. I have spent my entire life here. This city just feels like home. I live next door to all of my best friends. I remember the days when we used to play in the park together on the red swings and we always went down the yellow slide. We loved the see-saw and playing hide and go seek. Now I think about these times and smile, but then I think about it and it makes me sad. I am worried about moving so far from my friends, but I know that we will always be friends even if we live very far from each other. Another thing that makes me feel like home is all of the noise and commotion that constantly occurs. I always hear cars as they pass by. I love living here because the weather is always nice, but I want and need a major change. I am slowly getting tired of the same daily routine that I take part in everyday. I wake up to the sun shining so brightly in my turquoise room. I enjoy a nice glass of iced tea that I sweeten with sugar and add lemon for a hint of extra flavor. I just finished high school so I work in the morning. When I get out of work I go to the beach or go to the Aventura mall because I love it there. I love all of the stores it has and the way that it is decorated inside. I am getting bored with the beach because the sand on my toes and the waves crashing on me get boring after years. I need a change, of climate and location. I am looking forward to the new things that I will soon experience. I want to wake up to snow on Christmas. I always picture myself curling up next to a fireplace while looking out the window watching the snow fall.All I can do is picture myself wearing cozy sweaters, scarves, gloves, and puffy coats that will keep me warm when it's frigid outside. I want the snowflakes to fall on me, so that I am completely covered in them. I want to lay in the snow and make snow angels. I am moving out today. I am nervous to leave home for the first time. I am afraid of going to college. I am getting ready to go to Vancouver. I can't believe I am moving to a different country! I have been studying French for years and it is good to know that all of that hard work I've put into practicing is meaningful and is actually going to help me out.

Community

My concept is kind of hard to come up with something to give back to the community. I don't know how I can give independence to the town. I am thinking about surveying people about their future plans or something, but I'm not really sure. Any ideas or suggestions?

Paradox

I am simple, but I will confuse you.
I am understanding, but I am stubborn.
I can't stop talking, but I am speechless.
I am your best friend, but I will drive you crazy.
I know what I want, but I can't make up my mind.

Narrative 3

I just blew out 19 candles. You guessed it. I am 18 years old today. I live in Aventura, Florida. I have spent my entire life here. This city just feels like home. I love living here because the weather is always nice, but I want and need a major change. I want to wake up to snow on Christmas. I always picture myself curling up next to a fireplace while looking out the window watching the snow fall.All I can do is picture myself wearing cozy sweaters, scarves, gloves, and puffy coats that will keep me warm when it's frigid outside. I want the snowflakes to fall on me, so that I am completely covered in them. I want to lay in the snow and make snow angels. I am moving out today. I am nervous to leave home for the first time. I am afraid of going to college. I am getting ready to go to Vancouver. I can't believe I am moving to a different country! I have been studying French for years and it is good to know that all of that hard work I've put into practicing is meaningful and is actually going to help me out.

My Declaration

I chose Independence for my concept. I am fascinated by the things that people do on their own. In the dictionary Independence is defined as freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others. I think that independence is the perfect concept for me because it is a value that is very important to me in my everyday life. Everyone should realize how important it is to be independent and think for yourself. Independence is everywhere. The United States is an independent country because they do whatever they want. People that live in the United States have many rights compared to other countries. People are allowed to have a freedom of speech and live with their own values and morals. My mother is very independent because she had to do many things on her own, and that taught me to think and do things for myself. I am not saying that being dependent is a bad thing because that is just some people's personalities, but I think it can be a character flaw for a few reasons. One reason why being dependent can be bad is that people that are relied on can let people down. It isn't a good idea to be so dependent on someone else that you can't accomplish anything on your own. Another reason why I think dependence is a disadvantage is it doesn't allow people to grow and mature in the way that they should to adjust to the changes that occur in life. I also think I can find a lot of pictures and poems that relate to this.