The Ngong Farm

The Ngong Farm

This short story is Chapter 1 of a whole book. Judging from the well written first chapter, this is a story of a great adventure in Africa. In this first chapter, the author describes his farm in Africa. In his farm, he grows coffee. He tells is a lot of details about his farm.

In the second part, he describes more of the surroundings and Natives. Soon, he begins to develop a special love for Africa - something he never expected. The whole part is written with many adjectives. This helps me

Imagine the text more vividly in my head.

One lesson I learned from this excerpt is to learn to love something unfamiliar or new. Maybe these things will bring the greatest and most unexpected journeys in our lives. 

Photographs of my Parents by Maxine Hong Kingston

Photographs of my Parents by Maxine Hong Kingston 

Taken up in English 1 class on January 25, 2012

The story of Photographs of my Parents is probably a story to which everybody can relate. At least once in one's lifetime, he or she peeks through those old boxes in the attic. These boxes contain precious memories, most of them photographs. Here, one can flashback to what it was like during their parents' era. Personally, whenever I peek through these boxes, I feel happy. It's like my parents were so happy during their teenage years. Even now though, they are still very happy. They looked so young and fresh. For some reason, what people looked like before looked way better than what teenagers look like now. 

Maxine Hong Kingston's story tells us about her Chinese mother and American dad. This story is more of a comparison between the Western and Asian world. The Asian world is more reserved and serene. They don't like looking at cameras. They are more simple and quiet. Usually these people just keep to themselves. They are also very traditional. This is pretty evident during the time of her mother's graduation and the students did not know where to pin the flower on their dress. Asians can also be portrayed as the intelligent ones, based on the numerous mentions her mother was given.  Western people, on the other hand, are more outgoing and fun. According to the story, they like going on beach trips and the like. They smile and pose for the camera too. 

Overall, I liked the comparison of this story. I also liked the way it was written. It wasn't too dragging. 

Pet

It all begins with an egg. This kind of egg is not one's ordinary kitchen egg. It is a tiny egg, even smaller than a pebble. It brings a beautiful life into the vast blue world. The life span that this newborn creature is bound to experience is a short, but meaningful one. 

A creature that is free is the happiest creature. It is free to roam around the blue world. It can go wherever it wants and do whatever it is that it wants to do. As it roams, it glides and slides along the smooth waves. Its gold skin is as smooth as a feather, perfect for flowing against the delicate water. It lives simply, finding happiness from exploring and going on adventures. All it needs are food and shelter. Its friends and family, moreover, are among the best of the best. They all keep each other company and make each other happy. But, not all creatures live this way. 

Sometimes, this creature is given a different home. This home is far different from the blue world. It is in an enclosed artificial box. In this box, it encounters new species and new things. When it is not used to the world outside, it becomes lonely and agitated. Just like everybody else, it needs to get used to how things are. Soon enough, this creature starts to become relaxed and happy in its small little box. It is given enough food and attention anyways. Soon, the box becomes its true home. This kind of living is not so bad after all.

Either lifestyle is suitable for the lifespan this creature is given. This creature's lifespan is usually very short. Despite this, it uses this short time to do whatever it pleases. Even in a trapped condition, it still moves freely and is given what it needs to sustain itself. When the dark time comes, its magnificent golden skin begins to fade. Its death comes fast, almost in an instant. Then, it is seen floating, as if it has reached inner peace and true serenity.

Either lifestyle, this creature definitely makes everybody happy. This creature tells the story of life - how it begins from a tiny little egg until it reaches peace through death. It reminds man of how he can live his life being strong, free, wise and golden all at the same time.

My Favorite Place

             After a long and tiring day, I can’t wait to go home. A few steps after my bedroom door lies my favorite place. It is always there to catch me when I fall and to keep me safe when I am scared. It keeps me happy at night and relaxed during the day. More than that, it keeps me away from the real world, as if it has a firewall surrounding it.        

As I feel the soft material touch my skin, I sink into the unknown. I can smell the fresh flowery scent of the newly washed cloth brushing against my skin.  As I drift into a deep slumber, a soft and silky cloth keeps me warm. I can hear the soft air moving around me. If not, I hear nothing at all. My head is supported by something that is as delicate and soft as cotton. As I begin to close my eyes, I feel that I am in the best place, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.

In my favorite place, I am silent. I am one with myself when I am in my favorite place. There is nobody else there but me. In my favorite place, I think the deepest thoughts, let out the most boisterous laughter and even shed some tears. In my favorite place, I feel happy, light and stress free. In my favorite place, I am home. 

I am free and strong

Swimming in the sea

Simple things can make me happy

Simple things that I see

As I glide and slide across the water

And breathe in the air

I cannot live a life

I cannot live a life so bare

I want to explore what is out there

I want to jump out of the box

The need to try something different

Like wearing socks

But my body is not made for that 

For I am Golden and proud, I am strong 

But sometimes I also fall like a splat

What am I?

Strong, happy and free

What am I?

A life lived short filled with glee

I am content with what I have

Food, shelter and company

What am I?

I'm your pet goldfishy. 

The Death of the Moth by Virginia Woolf

The Death of the Moth by Virginia Woolf

Taken up in English 1 class on January 18, 2012

The Death of the Moth is a dramatic description of how a moth.. well, dies. Virginia Woolf painstakingly provided a detailed encounter with a moth. She tells a story as if in poetic form because maybe she feels very emotional about the death of the moth. In this short story, she somehow relates the death of the moth to life.

Life is (after reading the short story) definitely beautiful - every part of it. How will live it is extraordinary but how we leave it is even more extraordinary. Every word Virginia Woolf has used to describe the death of the moth is actually describing life. 

The moth's flying in the start can symbolize birth. Birth is a simple yet breath taking event. It's the start of something new and the start of an incredible journey called life. Next, the moth's releasing of energy can symbolize the body of our lifetime. In this part, we dance, sing and just basically enjoy life - its ups and downs. Then, the settling of the moth on the window simply symbolizes how us men and women settle late in life. This time can be when we get married or just simply reach old age. Sometimes, settling in life can even lead to a new adventure. Lastly, the death of the moth obviously symbolizes death. Virginia Woolf describes death as simple and serene. I believe that she is right, because death will someday bring us true peace. 

One thing I learned from this short piece is to simply enjoy life and all it has to offer. Maybe some day, hopefully not soon, I will experience true peace in death. But, while I am still dancing around like the moth, I am here to make the most out of life.