Daily Writings

1. Mon 8/29
Mrs. Candace Speer
Mrs. Speer was my teacher in kindergarten, whom I credit with teaching me how to read and
how to love reading. She made books exciting and I began to associate reading time with fun.
Deneen Wells
My mother, Deneen, always encouraged me as I was growing up to do my best in school and
use my creativity. She always showed interest in the stories I wrote in class and ensured that I
knew she was proud of my work. Her encouragement helped push me to learn how to better
read, write, and compose.
Regina Welstead
Ms. Welstead, the librarian at my elementary school, would often times introduce me to new
books and make suggestions for my next read. She kept my interest level in reading high, which
helped me to better myself as I continued to read more and more.
2. Wed 8/31
My elementary school library had a significant influence on my literacy narrative as I was
growing up. Throughout elementary school, I would spend a lot of time looking for new books to
check out, or simply reading a story while sitting on one of the couches. My librarian was a big
inspiration to me and would recommend good books for me to read. Although I no longer have
this kind of relationship with the school library on campus, I do enjoy checking out new books
when I find the time to read them. I firmly believe that reading is the easiest way to gain
intelligence. Even reading a fictional novel can immensely expand a persons vocabulary, as
well as open their mind to creative new ideas. One goal I have for myself is to read at least one
new book over winter break.
3. Wed 9/7
When I was in elementary school, I would always get excited for the week that the
Scholastic Book Fair would come and set up in our library. They would become an important
part of my literacy narrative, as I would buy as many of the novels that my mom would allow,
and read every single one. The Book Fairs kept me excited for reading and provided a fresh
new selection of books to read from. I also visited the public library a few times when I was
younger, although I preferred the Book Fairs better because I always wanted to keep the books
I checked out from the library. In my current situation, purchasing multiple new books isnt quite
realistic. However, I have access to all of the books in the library, which can be checked out for
free. Borrowing books from the library does not bring me the same childish joy I experienced at
the Scholastic Book Fair, but I do find satisfaction in completing a book.
4. Mon 9/12
Reading played an important role in my bedtime ritual as I was growing up. I would often
stay up past the time that my parents made me go to bed, reading by the light of a flashlight I
had hung above me so that I could still see the pages. I was rarely ever too tired to read a
couple of chapters before falling asleep, yet it also had a calming effect on my mind that helped
me to sleep peacefully afterwards. As I grew older and began taking on new responsibilities, I
found that I had less free time and became much more tired as soon as I prepared to go to bed.
Now, I am much too tired to read by the time that I crawl under the covers. Being in college and
having multiple responsibilities to take care of, I have almost completely ruined my sleeping
schedule. Some nights I am asleep by 7 pm, and some nights I lay awake until 7 in the morning.
I partly blame my sleepless nights on my television. Next semester, I am going to make sure

that I always have a book to access in the case that I am having trouble finding sleep. When I
was younger and would always read before bed, I found that it relaxed my mind and even had
an effect on my dreams.

5. Wed 9/14
Technology had a moderate effect on my literacy narrative, beginning when I was in
elementary school when I used my first computer. Although I only used the desktop we had at
home for games, playing on it during some of my free time taught me how to use computers.
When I started kindergarten, we would go to the computer lab one day out of the week and use
various softwares that intended to make learning fun by infusing the curriculum with games. I
always enjoyed this day of the week, mainly for the time at the end of class, as we were allowed
to play whatever game we choose once completing the assignment. As I got older, computer
usage became more complicated and more prevalent in my learning process. There were less
games involved, and instead I would learn to use various softwares to make presentations or
write essays. Today, the majority of my schoolwork is created and submitted through my laptop.
6. Wed 9/21
My family has never especially elaborate when it comes to cooking. Of course we enjoy
thanksgiving feasts, and celebrate other major holidays with a home-cooked meal but I am
currently unaware of my cultural background. Therefore, I am unsure of whether or not the
meals my relatives commonly prepare originate from my culture, or from somewhere else
around the world. Nonetheless, my favorite dish that my family prepares would be chicken pot
pie. I realize this is a common dish, but it is my favorite part of family gatherings and pot luck
meals. Ive never tried a frozen version of the chicken pie, but I am convinced that it wouldnt
taste the same as my mothers. She isnt a very elaborate cook, but something about the pie
makes me less hesitant to attend family reunions because I know she will be bringing one. One
day I am going to learn how to make a chicken pot pie like my mothers so that I can prepare it
for my children one day.
7. Mon 9/26
Although I did not partake in the riots that have occurred in the city of Charlotte during
the last several days, I feel sympathy for the outraged citizens protesting their rights. I cannot
imagine the way that they must feel, as I am not in their place and have not experienced the
racism they may have experienced throughout their lives. Many will say that peaceful protests
speak louder than destructive riots, but if you have paid any attention to news broadcasts or
other forms of media, you will know that the riots have received far more attention and publicity
than any of the protests conducted more peacefully. We are all to blame for this, as people have
the tendency to care more about exciting, destructive events than the calm, quiet ones. I do not
feel as if I am in the place to make strongly opinionated comments on the events, as I have not
viewed the police tape of the shooting and therefore do not have a surplus of factual information
on which to base my views. Regardless, I hope that one day we will overcome racism as a
nation and be able to live amongst different cultures with respect for one anothers lives as
equal to our own.
8. Wed 9/28
Upon asking questions about the history of my family, I have become fascinated with the
stories about my grandfathers service during World War II. I studied some of his war medals to
get a better idea of some of the places which he may have served, and also asked my parents

about it because he is not around to tell me about it. One particular story that caught my
attention was of D-Day, when my grandfather accompanied the many other troops storming the
beaches of Normandy. He knew that his younger brother was somewhere on the beach too, and
after the battle he spent days walking around until he found his brother. I hope to hear more
stories such as this one to help shape my view of an important piece of my familys past. This
could be difficult because my grandfather is not living anymore. However, he grew up in a large
family, and the members that survived him have always been eager to share his stories. My
father knows a lot about him as well, and will hopefully give me plenty of information so that I
can learn more.
9. Mon 10/3
I have made a few discoveries in the military past of my family and would like to learn
more about the duties my relatives have served. I know that my grandfather and great uncle
have both served in WWII, and want to learn more about the specific battles they fought in and
the awards they received. I have also heard some interesting stories about some mental
illnesses prevalent in some of my distant relatives. My mother told me a story when I was
younger about one of her cousins, who suffered from a mental disease, killing his father with an
axe as they were chopping firewood together one day. I want to learn more about his specific
disorder, as this would also tie in with my semester-long project. It would be interesting to learn
whether or not his disorder could be passed throughout our familys history of genetics. Another
point of interest for my research will be my late uncle. I can imagine that it will be hard to ask my
mother questions about her younger brother, but I will try my best to learn about him without
placing any discomfort or grief upon my mother or my grandmother. He was an interesting man
and I want to know more about him. I also want to learn about my grandmother and grandfather
that I never got to meet, as they each passed away before I was born.
10. Wed 10/5
The Effects of Prescription and Recreational Drugs on Our Brains
How can some of the most widely-used drugs affect us positively and negatively?
Are some prescription drugs more harmful than useful?
Why is marijuana still illegal?
When does the use of prescription medication become an addiction?