Personal Narrative: Measuring Up

Throughout my early teen years, I was exposed to different mediums of art and discovered that I could express myself through more channels than just paper. Although Barry found comfort in her 11 x 17 newsprint and some paint, I was able to focus my energy on making music and taking photographs. Without my art teachers, I wouldn’t have the expressive outlet I do today. My childhood was not filled with unhappiness as Lynda Barry’s was, but from both backgrounds, we found a warmth from the exposure of art that the educational system gave to us.

I’m sitting at my computer, ignoring pages of economics homework and mugs of cold tea now strewn about my desk, as I search for a direction to go with my life. Such was was my predicament several months ago. It’s undeniable that I’m an artist, hard and true, for a pencil found its way into my hand as a child, and no desire of mine nor of the universe ever tempted it to pry away. Throughout my earliest years and memories, I maneuvered with graphite, paint, and crayon every adventure that I ever dreamt of pursuing. Oh, I was a resilient child, as well, who refused to take part in any art class at school or as an extracurricular for an abundance of years, as I was invariably convinced that I could learn all I wished on my own accord! Consequently,

The pencil liberates my stresses and sorrows. Bare and unimpeded, my mind is able to isolate itself from anything that was happening in my life. At my art table, which is merely an escape from reality, my curiosity is able to wander. Within this room, five blank canvas's look in on me as I become a mold of my imagination. A step inside my world develops into a sea of color and exploration. The vibrancy of the walls resonates throughout. Over the years, my room has served as my oasis. It’s my escape from monotonous and mundane routines. It’s my exploration of another side of me. I observe such works of art almost as much as I create. Taking notice of my classmates’ innovations and inspired by their creativity, my paintbrush begins to alleviate stress. I strive to produce pieces others will appreciate, but often find myself to be the true admirer. My pride, in this world, is driven simply by my own curiosity to express myself. I credit this side of me as the “passion” that supplements my insane drive for success. This passion has sparked critical thinking in me as well as how I see failure. Life is a blank canvas and you can truly draw whatever you want, and if you fail, you start over and don’t make that same mistake again! Hard work takes ideas quite far, but true success is derived from ingenuity and the generation of

After reading your response I realized I was not completely clear on my point of view. I have noticed this before and am working on trying to be clearer when writing. I also am trying to find a balance when giving details with my explanations. It is a find balance that I am still learning, in the past I have gone off topic because of my detail or long explanations. This is something that I am constantly working on and is not easy. However, when I receive feedback like this one it helps me find the part of my journal that I need to fine tune. I appreciate the time you took to read and give a meaningful response and not just tell me you agree. Yes, I do like people agree with me because I am only human. But when I receive a response like your,

As an individual who’s been drawing and painting since before she could even hold a pen – apparently, I used to spill my grandma’s tea and make shapes with it – art has always been my favorite pastime. It’s tranquil and relaxing, and mixing paints is the most satisfying experience. Thus, it’s no wonder that the activity that I’m most invested in is art.

Imagine being at the peak of your high school career, personally, academically, and athletically. For me, that was my sophomore year. I was selected to be on the homecoming court, I won a free class ring, and a free corsage and boutonniere for prom. I was on my way to a 4.0 grade point average. I was pulled up to Varsity basketball, I became the 100 meter hurdle regional champion, and I qualified for two events at the Division 4 State meet for track and field. In one split second, a clip of a hurdle, that was over. My first race of the day was the preliminary 100 meter hurdles. Once the race started, I was calm, focused, and determined. I was starting to make my way up to the front of the pack when I clipped my trail leg on the eighth hurdle.

Overall, my first semester has been going pretty well. The semester is going like a roller coaster up, down, and fast. I have some bad days and some good days. Through this semester, I have many challenges I faced which I honestly did not want to face. Even though I just wanted to dodge or run away from the challenges, I still face them and fought through them. Some challenges I face this semester, hopefully not in the next, are procrastination, time management, and laziness. I have not only gone through challenges; I have also gone through successes. I am proud of turning assignments on time, passing tests and quizzes, completing my SCR points, and being involved in clubs. Being in Biomed has helped me grow as a student in the area of knowledge.

It was a typical Sunday morning, I ate breakfast with my family and got ready for church. The morning went on with a drag, than 5 o’clock hit. Once 5 o’clock hit my mother started yelling at my sister and me to get our stuff packed and into the car. We had only a few hours before my final summer of upward bound started. Since I started my senior year I’d been remembering many moments of my past and been reflecting on them. Therefore as I began to pack, it didn’t seem strange to me as I started to flash back to what had gotten me into Upward Bound in the first place.

We continued through the museum by this time we broke off into small groups of our peers and I walked those halls filled with all that great artwork snapping all the photos I could and taking in every piece. It is a beautiful experience to be surrounded by such artwork, brilliance, and mastery of craft. I felt like I travelled through time and countries with each piece was a different feeling but none would compare to the ballerina. Before this I saw artwork and didn’t understand it’s depth and nor did I want to but after I realized the talent, effort, and story behind some of the pieces I realized art is the most intimate storytelling and expression. After this trip I was determined to find my place in artwork and after a few failed attempts with many forms of media I found Graphic Design. It was one of the most challenging but rewarding things I’d ever done in my life. Many times I found myself frustrated with the programs and the even sometimes the outcome but I just worked harder and harder and in the end when I finally did get the results I wanted it was the most accomplished I’d ever

Fairfield Momentum… As soon as you’re pulling up the big bird is extremely eye catching lol.

This mysterious woman came into the classroom, introduced herself as Dr. Janet Robertson, and said that she will be helping us improving our artistic abilities. She then showed us some of her work as an artist. When she finished, we were to start to art.

One. I am small and I am always outside. I like running fast. I ski down the mountain without taking turns and I don’t like eating vegetables. I have a tree fort and I help my dad with hammering.

In my 38 years of life, I’ve had to overcome plenty of obstacles. When examining my life, especially in my younger years, it showed me life consists of an assortment of minor and major obstacles. Facing an obstacle, especially a major one, and conquering it, awards me a triumphant feeling. Furthermore, this feeling did provide me with determination, willpower, and courage to take on any future obstacles that life can throw at me (Harrington, 2012). This makes minor obstacles to become like a cake walk.

Golfing is a way to ease the mind, relax, and push harder to always do better than your last game. Life is too short to play bad golf, which is why practice makes for a perfect game. Golfing is a worldwide sport, a gentleman’s game, also a great business sport. It is attached to our culture and forever will be by its relaxing freedom and great views on the course. Picture one is an Adidas sports add featuring Colin Montgomery a professional golfer, telling golfers no matter what the circumstance is in the weather or your life, get out there and practice when no one else is stand out so you can achieve that extra inch into the hole. Which brings us to the second ad a Nike ad with the picture of a golf ball an inch away from going in the hole. This is saying that if you would’ve been out playing when no one else was you would have made that extra inch and made the shot. The effectiveness of the first ad is the results of the second ad, if you put in the work you will seek the rewards.

That is, until I was nine and fainted at the sight of my own blood when I cut my finger.