Fifth Narrative Assignment

Informative, inspiring, and motivational; these words are often used to describe the ideal teacher, but teachers can come in many different forms. Just as Siddhartha learned from an unorthodox educator, the river, my greatest teachers are somewhat unusual as well: books.

Ever since I was a child, I have loved reading. Back then, books such as “Everyone Poops” by Taro Gomi taught me practical life lessons while others spoke to me about ethics and morals. Today, they share with me their wisdom, and tell me their secrets. Within the pages of every book I open, I find another world. I can escape to this alternate reality any time I like. With books, I can scale the highest mountains, solve impossible mysteries, and uncover the past of ancient civilizations, all in a day. But books act as so much more than entertainment for me. Every time I read a book, I take bits and pieces from the characters and they become a part of me. I relate to them and learn from the challenges they overcome.

One book in particular has acted as a great teacher to me, and has helped guide me on the beginning of my life journey. “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho has inspired me and given me the gift of a new perspective on life. It is a philosophical work about faith, omens, love, and most importantly, following your dreams and listening to your heart. The book taught me that in regard to finding your purpose in life, the journey is more important than the destination. I have learned that if you are chasing your dreams and doing what makes you happy, things will fall into place. It has taught me to look beyond the surface and to search for symbolism and deeper meaning in the omens around me. Most importantly, the book has taught me about love. It showed me that love is the universal language of the world and that without it life is meaningless.

"The Alchemist" is inspirational and self-empowering, and is truly unlike any other book that I have ever read. I will carry its messages with me for my entire life, along with the other magnificent things I have learned, and will continue to learn, from books. The amazing thing about having them as teachers, is that books never cease to offer their magic to anyone willing to open up and read.

Fourth Narrative Writing Assignment

My parents are polar opposites in just about every way imaginable. Appearance, politics, beliefs, morals, parenting strategies-you name it, they disagree about it. But luckily for me, the one thing that they do manage to see eye to eye on is their hope for my happiness. Even though they plan to grant it through very different methods, that truly is their greatest wish for me.

My mom, for example, is a firm believer in allowing me to make my own decisions and, consequently, my own mistakes. She guides me as much as she feels necessary, but ultimately trusts me to make the right choice. If it turns out that I made the wrong decision, she understands that that is part of being a kid and helps me to learn from what I did wrong. I feel that our relationship is this way because she wants me to have my own experiences and learn from my own mistakes in order to be protected from being dependent and naive. These are two of the aspects that for her, seem to diminish happiness. I am so lucky that she is understanding, trusting and willing enough to let me take the wheel of my own life and do the steering.

On the other hand, to my dad, I am still "daddy's little girl" who needs to be sheltered from the world. He wants me to learn from his mistakes so I don't make the same ones myself. My dad tries to protect me from the pain and hurting that he already knows comes with growing up. He feels that if I can be without sorrow and heartache that I will be happy. It is easy to see that my dad also wants to protect me from being both intellectually and emotionally ignorant. He has taught me so much about life and people in general that it is obvious that he is doing everything in his power to make me a good person.

Although some people might feel torn in two directions by having parents with such different beliefs, I feel so blessed and grateful. I have the opportunity to be an incredible and happy person due to their impact on my life and the choices I make. What it all boils down to, is the fact that both of them are striving to make my life the best and happiest it can be, and that is all a kid can hope for.

Third Narrative Assignment

The orange and black banner that exclaimed "Welcome Back Tigers of 2011!" fluttered in the warm breeze as I walked up to the doors of the gym. I absentmindedly reached for my keycard to open the door, but felt foolish when all I grasped was a fist full of air. I smiled to myself, remembering how the same thing happened at the ten-year reunion, and how it would undoubtedly happen again if I attended the twentieth one (highly doubtful). But keycards are a thing of my past. As are many other characteristics from high school that no longer make up who I am. I proceeded to the performance gym, which I would have easily found if I lost my way (thankfully I didn't) due to the blaring rap music that was audible from several hallways away. I took a deep breath before opening the door bracing myself for the evening ahead of me. I had changed since high school. Things happened that caused a shift in my personality, and I knew that the difference wouldn't go unnoticed. As I reached for the door handle, it came swinging towards me and propelled my purse out of my hands spilling the contents all over the floor.

"What a great start to the night," I thought to myself sarcastically. I bent down to retrieve my things and with the help of whoever almost knocked me out, I gathered them in no time.

"Thanks," I murmured unenthusiastically, not making eye contact.

"Anytime! It was my fault, so it's the least I could do," said the woman.

I froze. I would recognize that voice anywhere. "Oh, hey Mary Beth." I said.

"...Uhm, erm... hi?" She responded, clearly confused.

I could tell that she had absolutely no idea who I was, or how I knew her name, but I honestly couldn't care less. All I wanted to do was get through the night so I could go home and watch ancient reruns of Days of Our Lives.

"I'm gonna go get some punch." I said as I turned quickly and started to walk away. I was hoping my blunt responses would help her realize that I was not interested in chatting. But of course, it was hopeless.

"Wait. Excuse me. How do you know my name?" She asked with a curious suspicion.

"Ughhh." I sighed and rolled my eyes as I turned around.

"Its me, Hannah...Hannah Leedle.

"What are you talking about? Your not the Hannah I remember...and trust me, old age has not effected my memory one bit."

"Well, its me. Can I go get my punch now?"

"No! I have so much to tell you! I just got a new job and you are going to be fascinated with what it entails. Seriously, it is right up your ally." She said with a bright toothy grin on her face.

"Wonderful." I said sarcastically under my breath.

"I was just selected to go to Antarctica to conduct scientific tests on the ice there. It is really amazing. You can determine how long ago an air bubble was trapped in the ice, and even the level of CO2 emissions during that year. I can't wait to begin."

When I didn't respond she snapped, "Hannah?".........."HANNAH!"

My head whirled around toward her.

She was giving me an unfamiliar expecting look that seemed to say "Hellooooo? Anybody home?"

"Oh, erm, yeah...you lost me at Antarctica."

"What is your deal?" She demanded. "Seriously, who are you and what have you done with my best friend? During high school you would have loved hearing about this stuff. You were so curious about anything new or different, and absolutely loved to learn new things. And now...you just don't care." She said.

I detected the sadness and worry in her voice.

"Yeah well...I'm gonna go get that punch."

She stared at me in disbelief.

I had had enough. I knew that someone would notice and make a big deal out of the new me. As I walked toward the exit I felt not even the slightest bit of remorse for how I treated my high school pal. I knew that I had changed, and I didn't need anyone else to tell me that or try to help me change back. The things I used to love most about myself were the same ones that recently me caused me horrific pain, and I knew I would never go back to my old ways. But now the only thing on my mind was forgetting this dreadful night, and returning home for my date with the television set and a pint of Ben and Jerry's.

Second Narrative Assignment

"Listen, Mother, when I put my mind to something, I am able to accomplish it on my own in the best way possible for me. I will not rest until I can accurately say that I am trilingual, and even then I could even go on to be multilingual. It is all up to me and I will do it on my own."
"But how could you possibly become fluent in all of these different languages without my emotional support? You will not possibly be able to handle all of the stress, pressure, and hard work that come with pursuing your goal, alone.
"Mother, while I appreciate your concern, I have accomplished many more daunting and emotionally draining things than this without the help of others. Besides, as comforting as your words can be, they cannot do the work for me. That part, I must handle on my own."
"That may be true, but you cannot argue the fact that without my financial support, the possibility of your multilingualism would be nonexistent. I would pay for language classes, and even trips around the world so you could enhance your knowledge. What would you if I did not want to help you reach your goal?
"But Mother, none of these things you say matter, because you do want to help me. Ever since I discovered my passion for traveling and foreign customs and languages, I knew that you would be willing to help me because I am your daughter, and we share an unbreakable bond. Neither of us would ever want to see the other harmed or hurt or have their dreams stifled in any way, so we would go to the ends of the earth for one another. "
"I guess that what you say is true. Maybe it really is your hard work and determination that will help you accomplish your goal. I'd just like to think that I have contributed in some way to your success."
"Believe me, Mother, you already have."

First Narrative Assignment

Many shrieks of joy and squeals of delight were heard that Easter Sunday, as children of all ages awoke early to find baskets of chocolate bunnies and to hunt colorful plastic eggs. Just like every Easter in the years before, at noon, Hannah and Ellen lined up at the edge of the yard with the other neighborhood children. They all wrinkled their noses at the strong smell of the onion grass, and shielded their eyes from the bright sun as they began the chaotic search for the hidden eggs and the surprises they held. The two were polar opposites, yet Hannah and Ellen had been inseparable since birth. Ellen, arriving into the world almost a full year before Hannah, had dark brown curls that framed her tan complexion, was expressive, and stubborn while Hannah was quiet and carefree, with skin that easily burned and a stick- straight blond mane. The two were quite a pair. On that warm April afternoon, Hannah and Ellen's parents watched them race around the yard desperately searching for the Golden Egg, with their minds at ease knowing that their girls were happy and safe as long as they were by each other's side. Once every morsel of food had been devoured and every egg had been unearthed, the fun-filled afternoon ended as family friends started to shuffle towards their cars. At least that is how most saw it. But on that Easter Sunday, Hannah and Ellen decided they weren't through having their fun. As they stood on the hot black asphalt, squirming in their uncomfortable puffy and itchy dresses that made them look "oh-so-adorable!" both of their heads whipped around as they heard the ssst, ssst, ssst of sprinklers coming to life. They looked at each other, grinned, and without a word, took off sprinting towards the streams of water. Giggling and squealing, Hannah and Ellen skipped and paraded through the sprinklers in their Easter dresses, soaking themselves thoroughly. After they had had their fun, the girls giddily trotted back to where their parents were standing shaking their heads with smiles on their faces. After all, girls will be girls.