Kokoro

Dear Reader Letter

Dear Reader:

My name is Tanya and I live in Lake Stevens, Washington. I have three wonkderful kids and four beautiful grandchildren. My kids and my grandkids are the true love and heros in my life. This is my first quarter at Everett Community Collage. I hope to work toward my degree in Human Services. I have big plans for my future and I am working hard to meet my educational goals.

I have not been in school for over twenty eight years, so some of this class was really challenging for me. I had to relarn how to study and try to remember all of the rules for English that I had learned in high school. I really enjoyed learning how to put sentences together and how to write a paper. I like to write, and I can really say that there is really nothing that I dislike about it. I am still having some problems with the use of a comma, but I fell that I came along way in my writing since the begining of this class. I now know how to use description, detail, supporting detail, transitions, and coherence and how to put them into good use in my writing. I feel, these are important details when you are writing anything.

I would also like to take this time to thank all of people in my English-97 class. All of you have been so much fun to work and learn with. You are all on the way to becoming really great writers. Thank you all for all of your help in this class and believe me I really needed it. Also thank you to our instructor Phebe you have made learning easy and you have been the one who has held us all together.

In conclusion, I would like you to take a look at the four writing pieces that I have chosen they are, “A Bedroom for Kaylie,” “A Valentine of Love,” “The Rollercoaster,” and “The Cabin.” I am hopeful that each of these stories will show you how I have progressed as a writer. Thank you for taking the time to read my portfolio and giving me the opportunity for my voice to be heard.

Introdudction to A Bedroom for Kaylie

Introduction to A Bedroom for Kaylie

A Bedroom for Kaylie was the first major writing assignment that we had to do in class. It was written on October 19, 2006. Not only was it our first assignment but it was probably the hardest one for me to write. I really had a hard time picking out what I was going to write about, so I made up a bedroom for my granddaughter Kaylie. It was hard visualizing what the layout would look like, so my mother and I drew out a blue print of the bedroom. This gave me a visual idea of how the bedroom would look and where the furniture, windows, and closet were in coordination to the room. This paper was a descriptive piece and in the beginning I struggling with the use of descriptive words and transitions. In the end after the first two drafts I felt that I came through with flying colors and used strong word choices. “Aromatic fragrance of rosebuds, pink eyelet curtain embrace the tiny window as the soft breeze makes them way like a gifted ballerina,” were some of the descriptive words that I used in my writing. I picked this piece of work because it I was very proud that for my first piece I was able to use descriptive words as well as I did. I hope by reading it you to can get a clear visual of what this bedroom looked like

A Bedroom for Kaylie

A Bedroom for Kaylie

My granddaughter Kaylie has the most beautiful child’s bedroom that I have ever seen. Immediately upon entering the room, your nose is filled with the aromatic fragrance of the rosebuds that fill an old vase sitting on top of her antique dresser. The dresser is located to the left of the door. On the far left wall pink eyelet curtains, embrace the tiny window, as the soft breeze makes them sway like a gifted ballerina. Under the window is an old rough chest that is used for doll clothes and treasures of all kinds. Sitting in the left corner next to the window is a child’s rocking chair that is white with rosebuds hand painted on arms and seat. Next to the rocking chair sitting on a well aged night stand is a new CD player that softly plays classical music to help Kaylie to fall asleep. Beside the night stand, on the opposite wall of the door, is the pink twin sized bed, neatly covered with an eye catching rosebud bedspread. Affectionately, placed on the matching pillow sham is an old doll with blond hair and blue eyes, the same doll Kaylie gently cuddles when the cold wind howls at night. Light pink book shelves nestled the far right corner of the room. These shelves are filled with much loved classics such as “Winnie the Pooh,” and “Little Women.” Old and new teddy bears fill the room with a feeling that this room is well cherished. The room is so stunning that is reminds you of the sweet taste of candy on a warm summer’s day. Therefore, one can easily see why this it the most beautiful bedroom I have ever seen.

Introduction to The Rollercoaster

Introduction to The Rollercoaster

The Rollercoaster was a piece that I had written in the third week of class. This was a show not tell piece of writing. We had described a rollercoaster without telling what it was that we were describing. I picked this piece because I felt that it was fun to describe what I was going through waiting for the ride. Words like, “my heart began to pound loudly, and my palms are wet and clammy,” I felt that I used good words telling how scared I was to get on the ride. It showed that I could really describe a trip on a rollercoaster without using too many words and just how scared I was to board it. I hope by reading it that you too will be able to pick up on my feelings of how hard it was for me to get on the rollercoaster.

The Rollercoaster

The Rollercoaster

Walking on to the large platform my heart begins to pound loudly as I wait for my ride. Large steel tracks stretch out over the large landscape as I nervously step from on foot to the other. Off in the distance, I can hear the screams of people either totally terrorized or having the time of their life.

As my ride pulls up my palms are wet and clammy. The previous riders get off the ride laughing, talking, and some are looking very ill. I board and sit nervously in my seat. When the last rider sits down a large padded steal bar comes down over my head and holds me tightly in my seat.

My ride starts out very slowly but only for just a few seconds. Like a bolt of lightening my ride shoots off taking me into the unknown. Up a large hill, down the other side, around a large loop, upside down, and around more twists and turns. I was screaming loudly and having the time of my life. I just could not believe how much fun and exciting it was. After pulling to a complete stop the steel bar lets all of the riders free. I get off the ride, and get in line to do it again.

Introduction to The Cabin

Introduction to The Cabin

The Cabin was a journal that I wrote during the second week of class. It was a show not tell assignment. It was very hard at first to try to describe a place without actually telling what you were talking about. I choose this piece because this is a place that is really dear to my heart. I also choose it because I was really impressed how easy it was after brain storming the descriptive words that my writing fell into place. I also felt that I used strong descriptive wording such as "hot glowing fires and majestic mountains." I found this piece very easy to write.

The Cabin

The Cabin

My favorite place to go is one that is old and run down but it is beautiful to me just the same. Looking out the small living room window one can see how peaceful the majestic mountains are. To the left of the old wooden deck is the well used outdoor grill with its peeling black paint, from the many delicious dinners cooked in there. Stepping outside on the rotting deck, it creeks with age, and immediately my shoe finds a hole one more sigh of wear on this building. Down below in the fire pit, the scent of wood smoke fills my lungs and instantly I remember the many hot glowing fires of the past, burnt marshmallows, over cooked hotdogs, and delicious smores. On the road that leads to the fire pit, the rocks glisten in the warm mountain sunlight. At night time thousands of stars light up the sky like fireworks on the fourth of July. Therefore, all of the tranquility of this scene makes this my favorite place to go.

A Valentine of Love Introduction

A Valentine of Love Introduction

This was the second major writing assignment that we had in English-97. It was written on November 16, 2006. This piece was a narrative paper that showed us how to write a story. This paper also had to include dialogue and it had to be in chronological order. I included this piece because it was a true story of what had happened when my daughters were small. I also included it because I felt that it showed some of my stronger writing strengths. I feel that narrative writing will be my strong skill in writing future papers. Some of the strengths of my work came in the last paragraph. Words like, “new power, gift of love, I learned to count my blessings, and to be thankful for al of the small things in my life,” were some of the strong word choices of my paper. Hopefully, by reading this you will easily see what happened that Valentine’s Day and how we became a closer family. Also how gifts from the heart are the best gifts that you can give anyone.

A Valentine of Love

A Valentine of Love

Valentine’s Day of 1990 will be a day that I will always remember with love. Often, we forget the true meaning of the heart because we are so busy with our daily life. That year I found myself a single mother of two darling girls, Gina age seven and Julie age five. My husband of nine years had left us just after Christmas. With no one around to help me raise the girls, the entire burden was on me, and I felt defeated. Money was tight, and I was working two jobs just to make ends meet. Most of the time there was no money left over for extra things like movies, dinners out, or trips to the zoo.

Pulling the car into the driveway that evening, I was pleased to see my mother was already there dropping off my girls. I took in a deep breath and let it out. I knew that my evening had just begun because I still had to help with homework, and there were baths to give, dinner to prepare, laundry, and bedtime for the girls. I knew that this night would be no exception to all of the other nights that I had stayed up late trying to get caught up on paying bills and doing household chores. Right at the moment I was feeling lost, lonely, and afraid, but most of all I was feeling very unloved.

Walking through the door, I set down my purse and coat as my two daughters came bouncing out of their bedroom. Jumping up and down I could see that they were excited about something.

“Guess what Mommy?” Gina yelled. “Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day!”

“What are we going to do to celebrate?” Julie asked with a gleam in her eye.

“Last year you took us to McDonalds for dinner,” Gina exclaimed.

I sat down on the couch and put my head in my hands as the tears began to fall down my cheeks. I had no money, and I did not get them a single thing. Not cards, candy, not even a flower to show them how much I loved them. All of the past Valentine’s Days I had always made it special but this year I had no money, and this Valentine’s Day was going to be different. They just looked at me because I did not cry in front of them ever. They both said nothing but they turned slowly and walked back into their room.

After dinner and baths I tucked my two darling daughters into bed, I helped them pray their prayers, and kissed them goodnight. I gave them one last hug and turned out the lights. As I walked out of their bedroom, I knew that I had to think of something to brighten their Valentine’s Day. As I walked back into the kitchen and looked around, I opened the cupboards to see what I had inside. I grabbed out cookbooks, frosting, rice cereal, marshmallows, and all of the bits and pieces of candy I could find. I might not have any money this year, but I did have lots of determination and a whole lot of love for them both. I baked and did crafts well into the late evening, and finally at 2:30am I fell into bed.

The next morning, I woke my little angels up at 7:00 to get them ready for school.

“What smells so good, mommy?” Asked Julie.

“It smells like cake, “Gina said to Julie.

When they raced into the kitchen, their eyes widened as they scanned over red heart-shaped cakes, pink heart-shaped rice crispy treats, and Valentine’s Day cards made of cardboard and markers. They spent the next few moments dipping their little fingers in the frosting and taking small bites of the savory goodies that I had baked the night before.

“Tonight we will have a party,” I told them. “However, now it is time to get ready for school.”

“Oh, Mommy!” said Gina with tears in her eyes. The cakes are so beautiful.

“We love them and they taste really good,” cried Julie.

I sat down and held them both in my arms. I told them how lucky I was to have them and just how much I loved them both. I told them I was sorry that I had no money to buy them nice things such as a heart-box filled with candy or a card. I explained to them that all I had to give was my own heart which was filled with more love than any gift could ever reveal.

Gina looked up at me with tears rolling down her small face and said, “It is alright mommy, we don’t need a heart-shaped box, or a card from the store. All we need is you and we have that.”

That night after dinner the three of us had a party. We ate cake and rice crispy treats. We danced and laughed in our living room for an hour past their bed time. As we partied I suddenly no longer felt defeated, lost, lonely, or sad. What I did find was a new power within myself and a new strength that comes from the gift of unconditional love. I then realized just thankful I was for the two precious girls I held onto each and every night. From that night on I learned to count my blessings, and to be grateful for all the small things in my life. The most important lesson I learned was that I felt loved, so very loved.

Conclusion

Conclusion

In conclusion I would like to say that this has been the most challenging part of English-97. I am not very good with computers; therefore, I found it very difficult to post my portfolio on line. I have overcome many problems in my writing, and I feel that I have come along way as a writer. I plan to continue my education and to push forward with more English classes. I feel that English-97 will make my everyday life easier just knowing how to write proper sentences. I hope in the near future I will be able to take a computer class. I know that it will lessen the stress in my life. Thank you once again for reading my work.