Author Archives: js105691

Dear Reader,

As a result, of this English class I am more equipped as writer and editor.  I am confident that I can better aim my writing at an array of audiences, while having clarity within my messages.

Additionally, I can now correctly and creatively employ literary devices within my writing. For Instance, understanding the benefits of using tools like the m-dash, story breaks and/or metaphors elevates my overall ability as writer.

Within the story She Said – I wanted to remain having a suspenseful ending.  I also wanted to incorporate much earlier in the story the ethnic differences between Blondie and myself.  The importance of contemporary high school humor is essential because I did not want this to become a highbrow comedy. At the same time, I wanted to explore with the ability can I write less and show more.

I know the material we uncovered in the class will have an immediate transfer over into my real world life written communications.

Respectfully,

Jay

———————————————————————————————————-

The fall semester began with my Monday evening English class. A class always felt better to me when it has smart, attractive, and funny students.  I waited for the professor to enter the room. At the same time, I was scouting around the space to examine who might fit those three criteria’s. Suddenly the professor smoothly sauntered into the classroom and said, “Hello Students.” He delivered the lesson with a manly humor.  His informed hilarity and wit became his trademark trait throughout the lectures.

•••

Wednesday: I had B-Boy bopped into the classroom early.  I was wearing a black and red snapback hat. The hat was embroidered with word: DEFY. My headphones were blasting Mariah Carey’s “Make It Happen.” I settled into my seat. I felt her looking at me, while I sang along with Mariah—“Just hold on tight and don’t let go!” I gazed at her. I smiled and nodded head rhythmically to the song. She smiled back. I recalled my family saying to me, “ Jay, how can you be “Black” and have no rhythm!” So, I was perplexed as to why she smiled. I had to shut off my phone because the professor raced into class. He said, “Sorry students for coming late” I rescued my high school humor and spoke, “In life professor not much matters as long as you come and don’t they say: The Best Things Comes to Those Who Wait! So, we are happy you did!” The Professor and classmates cackled at my innuendo. The professor announced with a plotting grin, “I am happy too that I did–Now class come with me and turn to page fourteen.

•••

Monday: two weeks had passed and without any interaction from the smiling girl. I sat down in the classroom. I gobbled down my usual, a salad. I waited for the professor to start calling out the names for attendance:

Kim: “Here”

Seidman: “Here”

Jay: “Right on!”

I pumped my fist invoking the gestures of my people: African Americans and Freedom Fighters everywhere who bravely fought for Civil Rights. The professor mocked me by elevating his fist and said, “Way to go Brother!” The class exploded into a land mine of laughter.

In the middle of our lesson Redhead Rebecca whispered, “Jay do you always eat salad?” I replied, “I don’t know what you mean by eat a salad…I do like to eat healthy and love my veggies.” Rebecca laughed and waved her hand shunning my remark. I turned around to look at the blue eyed who girl who had smiled at me two weeks prior. She was nodding her head dismissively in regards to Rebecca’s gesture and question. I shrugged my shoulders and grinned. She smirked.

After the class the blond lady and I departed from the room, parallel to one another. I told her, “Take care and see you next week.” She smiled and pumped her fist in the air and said, “Right on!” I laughed and replied, “You are crazy.” We disbursed from one another laughing in our antics.

•••

Wednesday: I sat in my usual seat- the front side corner of the class.  I began eating a Tuna Salad.  After twenty minutes passed I felt the need to go to the bathroom. When I returned back to the classroom, the professor remarked, “Jay, I hope you had fun.” I retorted, “Always. But I am not usually that quick.”

•••

When the class concluded Ms. Blue eyes approached me and said, “ Jay I wrote my number on the back of your notebook. I am going away for a week and I need you to keep me up to date with the class.” I replied, “Oh that’s not a problem. I will send you a text so you can lock in my contacts.”  When I arrived to my apartment and opened my notebook, there it was her handwriting in pink ink:

^{JAY, CALL ME 347-555-5515  #SWAGG 🙂 Tx U}

I picked up my mobile phone and sent a text message:

November 10, 2012, 10:26 PM

Hi! This is Jiggy Jay from English class. I hope you made it home safely. I will inform you on what you missed when you get back. Enjoy ya Vacay! GN!

November 10, 2012, 10:28 PM

Thanks boo 😉 YA the GREATEST!!! “RIGHT ON” 2 ALL THAT! . Ill hit you up when I get back. XXOX

•••

She returned from her trip on the following Saturday. My iPhone rang. The device displayed the nickname that I attributed to her: “Blondie.” I answered the call, “Hey what’s up Diva! How was your trip?” She stated, “It was good and I had fun. You know what-Iam saying!” I continued on, ”I am so jealous of you…it’s a Saturday night and I am still in stuck studying the library.” She added, “Oh great, I coming to the library now… lets study together.” I volleyed back, “Cool good to know you are coming. I will wait for you on the fifth floor.”

She arrived at the library and slurred, “Jay lets leave this place. It’s boring! I am taking to a place, I know you are going to love it.” I agreed because I needed a break. The time was around Eight O’clock. We strolled along Twenty-third Street and pushed westward.  Upon hitting Seventh Avenue I said, “Hey where is this place?” She answered, “Chill man…be patient… I know you are going to love this place.” My mind raced with the possibilities of the destination:

Could it be a museum?

Does she want us to go to the park?

No, it’s a Chelsea gallery?

We finally reached Eighth Avenue she shouted, “there it is let’s go inside.”

I replied in a baffled manner, “What? Where? She said, “Right here!” I said, “I don’t see anything! Show me what you are talking about.” Her nails stood out as she pointed because they reminded me of a gusting American flag.  Each of her nails had been painted diagonally with the colors red, white, and blue. She shouted happily, “Right here! Silly B.B.Q’s! We can get the Fried Wing Comb, The Hennessey flavored wings, with hot sauce. They good! Plus they got Dem Texas size drinks. I know you love Dem!”

•••

She ordered the fried combo with the extras. I ordered a House Green Salad with water. (As a person who frequently dines very well as result, I would not consider B.B.Q’s as a place I would like to come for a meal.) She made several seductive moves. For example, my straw was in my glass of water. She grabbed it out and licked it. Then she slowly dipped my straw into her glass of Pina Colada and softly sipped the cocktail. Then she gently slithered the back of my right hand with her pointer and ring fingers. After stroking my hand with those same fingers: she delicately but yet firmly pressed her nails into my skin and said,” Jay, do you like how I sound when I swallow!” My eyebrows lifted. I did not engage. Ironically, we had a nice time together at the fried and freaky restaurant.

•••

When walked out she said, “She said, Jay do you always eat salad?”

                                                              Life After Life

This project undertakes an investigating of the life changing moment that define- or redefine- the necessary demands needed for one to live their life. This composition will execute elements of a Hybrid Essay.  It will incorporate sound, text, recorded audio and video interviews. Then intended time span of this project will be no longer than twelve minutes. The following inquisitions are employed to provide the audience with an examination of the dichotomy of one’s prior lifestyle versus their After Life (current circumstance).

Prior Life:  As a child what type of adult life did you envision for having for yourself? If you can, what message would like to offer to yourself before your encountered your life changing moment? And what impact would like that message to have?  How would spend your nights and weekends? How would you describe your relationships with: Family? Friends? Career?

After Life:  What circumstance or situation has immensely changed the demands of your life today? What do you have to do within a week compared to the your past?  Share an example or a story where you experienced a conscious change, within your behavior and thinking, as result of your new life demands? How does your new stream of consciousness work within your personal, spiritual, professional relationships.

This project will execute the elements of a Hybrid Essay. It will incorporate sound, text, recorded audio and video interviews.

I have arranged to interview William Grant of Manhattan, New York. He is a family friend and one of my mentors. He is: a Father, husband a published author, Minster, Entrepreneur, a community activist within Tribeca and Brooklyn areas. He lives to give inspiration for other to see the light within them.

Tasha Lamb – she is a friend from Queens, New York. She resides in the Bronx. She is a young mother of one son and she is a wife. She is devoted to her belief in Islam.  She is currently pursuing a higher education. She will explain the difference in her lifestyle before motherhood and marriage. She will also describe how these two events changed her life forever.

The fall semester began with my Monday evening Marketing class. A class always felt better to me when it has smart, attractive, and funny students.  I waited for the professor to enter the room. At the same time, I was scouting around the space to examine who might fit those three criteria’s. Suddenly the professor smoothly sauntered into the classroom and said, “Hello Students.” He explained the expectations for this course. He delivered the lesson with a manly humor.  His informed hilarity and wit became his trademark trait throughout the lectures.

•••

Wednesday: I had B-Boy bopped into the classroom early.  I was wearing a black and red snapback. The hat was embroidered with word: DEFY. My Bluetooth headphones was blasting Mariah Carey’s “Make It Happen”:

“If you believe

Within your soul

Just hold on tight

And don’t let go

You can make it

Make it happen!”

I got settled into my seat. I felt her looking at me, while I sang along with Mariah—“Just hold on tight and don’t let go!” I gazed at her. I smiled and nodded head rhythmically to the song. She smiled back. I had to shut off my iPhone because the professor raced into class. He said, “Sorry students for coming late” I rescued my high school humor and spoke, “In life professor not much matters as long as you come and don’t they say: The Best Things Comes to Those Who Wait! So, we are happy you did!” The Professor and classmates cackled at my innuendo. The professor announced with a plotting grin, “I am happy too that I did–Now class come with me and turn to page fourteen.”

•••

Monday: two weeks had passed and without any interaction from the smiling girl. I sat down in the classroom. I gobbled down my usual, a salad. I waited for the professor to start calling out the names for attendance:

Kim: “Here”

Seidman: “Here”

Jay: “Right on!”

I pumped my fist invoking the gestures of the African Americans and Freedom Fighters who bravely fought for Civil Rights. The professor mocked me by elevating his fist and said, “Way to go Brother!” The class exploded into a land mine of laughter.

In the middle of our lesson Redhead Rebecca whispered, “Jay do you always eat salad?” I replied, “I don’t know what you mean by eat a salad…I do like to eat healthy and love my veggies.” Rebecca laughed and waved her hand shunning my remark. I turned around to look at the blue eyed who girl who had smiled at me two weeks prior. She was nodding her head dismissively in regards to Rebecca’s gesture and question. I shrugged my shoulders and grinned. She smirked.

After the class the blond lady and I departed from the room, parallel to one another. I told her, “Take care and see you next week.” She smiled and pumped her fist in the air and said, “Right on!” I laughed and replied, “You are crazy.” We disbursed from one another laughing in our antics.

•••

Wednesday: I sat in my usual seat- the front side corner of the class.  I began eating a Tuna Salad.  After twenty minutes passed I felt the need to go to the bathroom. When I returned back to the classroom, the professor remarked, “Jay, I hope you had fun.” I retorted, “Always. But I am not usually that quick.”

•••

When the class concluded Ms. Blue eyes approached me and said, “Hey, Jay I wrote my number on the back of your notebook. I am going away for a week and I need you to keep me up to date with the class.” I replied, “Oh that’s not a problem. I will send you a text so you can lock in my contacts.”  When I arrived to my apartment and opened my notebook, there it was her handwriting in pink ink:

^{JAY, CALL ME 347-555-5515  #SWAGG 🙂 Tx U}

I picked up my mobile phone and sent a text message:

_____________________________________________________________

November 10, 2012, 10:26 PM

November 10, 2012, 10:28 PM

_____________________________________________________________

•••

She returned from her trip on the following Saturday. My iPhone rang. The device displayed the nickname that I attributed to her: “Blondie.” I answered the call, “Hey what’s up Diva! How was your trip?” She stated, “It was good and I had fun. You know what-Iam saying!” I continued on, ”I am so jealous of you…it’s a Saturday night and I am still in stuck studying the library.” She added, “Oh great, I coming to the library now… lets study together.” I volleyed back, “Cool good to know you are coming. I will wait for you on the fifth floor.”

She arrived at the library and slurred, “Jay lets leave this place. It’s boring! I am taking to a place, I know you are going to love it.” I agreed because I needed a break. The time was around Eight O’clock. We strolled along Twenty-third Street and pushed westward.  Upon hitting Seventh Avenue I said, “Hey where is this place?” She answered, “Chill man…be patient… I know you are going to love this place.” My mind raced with the possibilities of the destination:

Could it be a museum?

Does she want us to go to the park?

No, it’s a Chelsea gallery?

We finally reached Eighth Avenue she shouted, “there it is let’s go inside.”

I replied in a baffled manner, “What? Where? She said, “Right here!” I said, “I don’t see anything! Show me what you are talking about.” Her nails stood out as she pointed because they reminded me of a gusting American flag.  Each of her nails had been painted diagonally with the colors red, white, and blue. She shouted happily, “Right here! Silly BBQ’s! We can get the Fried Wing Comb, The Hennessey flavored wings, with hot sauce. They good! Plus they got Dem Texas size drinks. I know you love Dem!”

•••

We sat down and ordered. She ordered the fried combo with the extras. I ordered a House Green Salad with water. (As a person who frequently dines very well as result, I would not consider BBQ’s as a place I would like to come for food.  I was not pleased that she selected BBQ’s as a place I would love.) Ironically, we had a nice time together at the fried and freaky restaurant. She made several seductive moves. For example, my straw was in my glass of water. She grabbed it out and licked it. Then she slowly dipped my straw into her glass of Pina Colada and softly sipped the cocktail. Then she gently slithered the back of my right hand with her pointer and ring fingers. After stroking my hand with those same fingers: she delicately but yet firmly pressed her nails into my skin and said,” Jay, do you like how I sound when I swallow!” My eyebrows lifted.  However, my mind shifted. I wondered why did she take me to BBQ’s? Did she figure so by only going off my complexion and Hip Hop fashion? What did I demonstrate that gave her the idea that BBQ’s would be a restaurant that I would love? We continued to eat, talk and laugh.

When walked out she said, “She said, Jay do you always eat salad?”

1                                            The Puppy Pasta and Batman

This story was effective because of the endearing voices of the two young brothers. They spoke in an innocent and youthful manner. They narrated and explained the doggy-dilemma: the brothers argued over the name of their new puppy.

The story embodied nostalgia, pop-culture, and a famed food. As result these themes weaved together masterfully. Those topics facilitated in tailoring a tale becomes a near fit for almost anyone.

Consider how the themes apply to you:

As a child can you relate to wanting a puppy or any another pet?

Have you ever experienced sibling rivalry?

Can you recall to a parental figure establishing a household law to end a family quarrel?

Are you familiar with generations before and after your own that watched and/or read Batman?

Have ever had pasta?

Thirdly, the story is effective because the sound effects and music. They enabled me to better connect with brother’s puppy plight. For example, when the young kinfolks debated over the name of the little K-9. One Brother yelled, “Pizza.” The other sibling shouted back at him: “Batman.” The background music was of generic Italian restaurant music. Then the classic heroic music was emerged, when the mother declared: “That is it! The name is Pasta-Batman!”

This story was excellent because of the suspense and that it was constructed from a foundation of nostalgia.

________________________________________________________________

   2                                  Picture This Hollywood

What are the elements that contributed to this story’s compelling nature? The humor and humility is what allowed me to connect with it. The story rewarded a gracious reality check to a celebrity. The actor gave an account of being approached by jittered teenaged couple. Ironically, seconds before they approached him- he was recently in the mist of fans that recognized and celebrated his work.

Act1:

The male teen had mumbled something inaudible into the actor’s ear.

The star decoded his mutter to mean: Mr. Hollywood may you please kind of enough to take a photograph with my girlfriend?

Act2:

The actor proceeded to wrap his arms around the teenaged girl and posed for the picture. It perplexed Mr. Walk- of-Fame, who noticed that the teens appeared uncomfortable for some unidentifiable reason.

He figured: she was a nervous teenager, who was jittered to share a photo with a celebrity. Mr. Hollywood kissed the teenybopper on the cheek to help reduce her anxiety. After a few seconds of a long and awkward gaze between the three- the confused lover boy pressed camera button to photograph and end this bizarre encounter.

Final Act:

Mr. Media proudly strutted back over to baffled boy. Then jittery juvenile informed him of his original request:

May you please take a picture of my girlfriend and me?

Which is not the same as: take a picture with my girlfriend because we are daunting fans of your celebrity.

The End.

_______________________________________________________________

  3                                          A Prison Performance and Promise

The broadcast did an excellent job of connecting listeners to paralyzed potential that plagued these inmates and their loved ones.

A group of young female inmates employed the use of theater to express their circumstances. The stage play enabled them to creatively communicate sentimentally and apologetically, to their families seated within the audience. Their performance exhibited a transformation of an achieved level of self-awareness.

My eyes were similar to a clogged-up kitchen sink with a flowing faucet, when the girls sang in gospel choir fashion: “I am sorry!” Then, female felons turned around to their families and each girl held a paper heart stating: “I am sorry.” Those heart were later gifted to the juveniles loved ones. That gesture demonstrated their sympathy towards their families’ predicament and it acknowledged the mutual emotional grief their imprisonment has

1.) As empty as drunk’s whiskey bottle.

2.) As weak as a hit from a newborn.

3.) Gathered together like they were getting on a free money line.

4.) As rough as hardcore Hip Hop and Heavy Metal being played in the middle of a war.

5.) Trembling like the legs on a newborn Doe.

6.) Praying like a man who is stranded and starving in the Alaskan Mountains.

7.) Bouncing like an addict who nearly overdosed.

8.) Smiling like a Bride on her Honeymoon.

9.) Heart of Eagle when protecting her nest.

10.) Mountains of money, is need to restore the economy of Greece.

11.) The ocean is like old soul music: dark and blue.

12.) The moon is nocturnal.

13.) This house of confusion will not last.

14.) My love is like the stars- you know its there.

15.) Writing is the creator and eraser.

Nature and Time in the Mind

Feeling trap, traveling for days that turn into the month – hoping it soon finds me or I soon fit it.  My spirit is becoming as empty as drunk’s whiskey bottle.  The nights enable time to think and rethink.  Is anyone body out there? I am I alone? Can you hear me and can you feel me? This house of confusion will not last. Uplifted by migrating memories journeying through my consciousness. I do accept my past and embrace my future. Imagine: a mother and father playing with their child on sunny summer day – all of them smiling like a bride or her honeymoon. 

Dear Readers,

Firstly, the approach with this essay was to write a back-story about uncle, who was introduced in: “ How to Kill a Man Without a Plan?”

Secondly, I wanted expirement with tense shifts and with the vernacular of New York’s inner city ghettos.  However, these two elements may not allow for a smooth read or comprehension.

Lastly, I wanted to leave you wanting to know more about the circumstances and characters provided by this story.

What literary device would you like to see employed within this essay?

What could I have done better in allowing you to have a better connection with the characters and/or the time they placed into?

Thanks in advance for your patience and astute readership.

Respectfully,

Jay

_______________________________________________________________

“Dam, it feels good mi armor, it does baby, and we are going to make some money off this: a real good sound to it.” My uncle said to his ex girlfriend. She was a Latina from the Bronx.

***

New York City, in front of a Brooklyn deli, the year is 1982.”Yo, playboy! You going to that new cold-fresh jam in the park?” said, by “Splash-1” a graffiti writer. “Nah, man, I am going to be home with my Tender-Roni, I just got off of work. But I know them cats from uptown be getting down, though. It’s their jam, right?”

“Yeah, homeboy, all the “Fly Girls” and “Fly Boys” will be in the spot- like that movie “Wildstyle!” spoke, by grafitti artist. His government name is Jose Rodriguez: aka, “Splash-1” to the Graffiti world, and to NYPD transit unit.

“Man, you are great at communicating with people. Why don’t you manage “Splash Stars? We got the best singers, breakers, and writers down with the posse! And we would pay you twenty percent of any money we earned!”

My uncle’s nickname name is “Solo Armor.” He is a hopeless romantic. He would often desperately descend into love with a young lady and quickly have his smashed. He was a kid in a rough Harlem ghetto, looking for love

Valerie an exotic beauty from Venezuela, my uncle’s former fiancé . She spoke with South American -Spanish accent and often would interweave Spanish words while she spoke English.

“Hola K-tal Armor? Where have you been?”  My uncle announces happily, ” In Brooklyn and guess what baby? I am the manager of the “Splash Stars.” Valerie did not like Hip Hop and the characters it attracts.

With in short order, “Solo Armor” managed to book a show for his clients at the “Fun Gallery” in Lower Manhattan. The Showing was a success.

“Splash Stars” became a lucrative venture – The kid from the ghetto moves to Riverdale, NY. Valerie is pleased that they moved out the slums. Six months of living in Riverdale transformed her soft spot of affection towards my uncle into a grey cement brick. “I am tired! F— cansado! Tu y Hip Hop, y the scribbles! You are never home for dinner, I am done! I found someone else, con mucho tiempo para mi,Yo neccesita tiempo for un relationship.”

My Uncle replied back, “Vee, quierdia, please no, we can go on a vacation! Things are slowing with my work. I got this house and the cars for us, me and you. I want to earn enough money so we can have a real future. Tu sabes? A real house: white fence, our children playing with their puppy, in the yard!”

She responded favorably and my uncle admits was the best sex of his life. The next week he arrives home late from a showing, the house is empty; nothing, nada, only one letter, tapped onto a wall, where their picture use to hang.  The letter had a childlike sketch of a red sad face, a drawing of black heart, and the words “Solo Armor” are green, Solo is underlined and Armor is circled!

What does it all mean?

“At that point man, I swore, I was going to be on top and wherever she goes, she would see me and my work! I pledge I was going to kill the game and she would never forget who she left! “

“Jay, this is not right! How can I ever do something so carelessly? I wish I could turn back the hands of time. I don’t even sleep anymore. I killed it all!” my uncle said with a grievous tone. He was not referring to taking another person’s life but my uncle spoke as if he was directly responsible for a homicide.

“How did you kill it all, uncle?” I asked. I knew he was an extremely successful music executive through 1980’s and early 2000’s. He instructed me to look at President Obama and to think of what brought him to the White House. “That’s someone who has ‘It’!” he stated. “What does he have?” I replied? He responded in a ministerial tone; “it’s clear he has a whole lot of things but he most definitely has a plan!”

It was November the 5th 2008. The day after President Obama was first elected. “I killed it all!” my uncle said. His expression was odd, but then I thought; what might one learn from a killer? There are so many reasons why one should never kill; but in my uncle’s line of work it was a hit after-hit after –hit! He believed he was invincible.

____________________________________________________________

I believe these changes produce a different tone in the essay because it forces the reader right into the drama. For example, the opening sentence in paragraph one introduces that there is a problem. Although, I appreciate the first draft because election of President Obama was a historic day internationally and it may prompt readers to continue on because of their personal connection to that day.

The second arrangement is useful but not as suspenseful compared to the original. Furthermore, being that it is a really short essay this paragraph adjustment does not sustain the bewilderment of the reader.

This exercise was useful because I was able to consider the different perspectives in pursuing my essay. It is definitely a tool that I would employ more often.  This device can also give anew view for those who suffer from writers block and it can motivate them to create from afresh perspective.

“My damages are not only impaired by my refusal to be ill but substantially comprised by my own actions.” (Robson p. 235)

This paragraph is powerful because Robson creatively injects his mind with a positive outlook to improve his life. He vows to own his journey with “cancer” and declines advice from world famous cancer-center. As result, the paragraph is a positive contrast from the pessimistic positions, dominated by the doctors throughout this story. His act of defiance against a system that is unjust in their treatment adds in making this an effective paragraph. I find valuable that Robson a lawyer: sentence himself to a prolonged life, not a death sentence as the doctors suggested.

He demonstrates mind over matter during a life threatening event, which is something many readers will connect to, and be inspired by.

Jay

It was November the 5th 2008. The day after President Obama was first elected. “I killed it all!” my uncle said. His expression was odd, but then I thought; what might one learn from a killer? There are so many reasons why one should never kill; but in my uncle’s line of work it was a hit after-hit after –hit! He believed he was invincible.

“Jay, this is not right! How can I ever do something so carelessly? I wish I could turn back the hands of time. I don’t even sleep anymore. I killed it all!” my uncle said with a grievous tone. He was not referring to taking another person’s life but my uncle spoke as if he was directly responsible for a homicide.

“How did you kill it all, uncle?” I asked. I knew he was an extremely successful music executive through 1980’s and early 2000’s. He instructed me to look at President Obama and to think of what brought him to the White House. “That’s someone who has ‘It’!” he stated. “What does he have?” I replied? He responded in a ministerial tone; “it’s clear he has a whole lot of things but he most definitely has a plan!”

“I killed millions of dollars and murdered countless hours!” he said tiresomely!” Then he stated, “I killed it all because I had never had a plan. I was winging it the whole time. Obama won because he has a plan! You need to get a plan and everyday work smarter at accomplishing your goals!”

This was a tremendous turning point in my life. I discovered what having a plans means. I analyzed my uncle’s success, along with his current position, including the accomplishments of President Obama as he won the White House. That exercise enabled me to understand the importance of developing clear aims for my future. Furthermore, in an extreme sense, my take-away from my uncle’s conversation: not having a plan is almost like living without a life.

Dear Readers,

Thank you for reading my essay.

My goal was to create suspense, share a truthfully story from my past and how has it has shaped my perspective towards life.

I surely would benefit from:  “Unity of tense” (Zinsser p50)

Although I believe the essay flowed nicely. It would have been delightful, if I allowed you to time travel through my story in an effortless manner, by employing the “Unity of tense.”

I  also should have shared a better understanding of the dynamics of my uncle’s life and personality.

I should have provided you with an example of how this event has changed my life.

Furthermore, I could have explored the African American connection that my family shares with President Obama.

Thanks,

Jay