Jimmy Santiago Baca: Poetry as Lifesaver by Rob Baker

The best part of this essay is how Baca expressed his thoughts about poetry such as I believe something in my brain or something in my nervous system was impacted by poetry. (Baca) It reminds me the quotes “If you never try, you'll never know what you are capable of.”(John Barrow) 

I like the fact that he gave himself a chance to try something new for him and he loved it.  On the other hand, I think why his poetry is so popular is he has different life experience than most of the people. I think I am going to enjoy reading his poetry because it will give a chance to see the world in his eyes. 

Us and Them by David Sedaris

This is a funny story. The author talked about his childhood memory about the neighbor, Tomkeys. He thinks the family was a different species of human because they were strange and unusual people. I think the story shows a great example of social expectations about what considered as normal. The funny thing is why it is so matters to others that their neighbors have TV or not in their home. Another funny part is the Tomkeys’ knocked the neighbor’s door asking candies’ on Nov 1^st and his mother tried to be nice with them. Some people have so many curiosities about the others and so many judgments in their life. I would think it is so easy to live the way you want and say things what you truly think about. 

First Job by Iliana Roman

I enjoyed reading this memoir about the young lady and how she succeeded in her career. I think her story is similar to the most peoples’ stories that got pregnant, divorced and her parents helped her as much as they could. My favorite part is “my children motivate me. You can always do better in life, and I am the one to do better, better, better.” This quote shows me that the author has strong goals in her life. She knows what she wants. She knows why she wants it and she is not going to let anybody or anything get in her way. She knows her strong side. I liked the author the way she wrote about the memoir because she is not complaining about how hard her life was but she talked about how she learned things from challenge and how she succeeded. 

Career goals

I have a long-term and a short-term career goals. One of my projects required to build my resume and application letter.

This project helped me to get my resume done. Anyway, I needed to do it. My short-term career goal is to get a full time position as a CNA at The Holmstad. The Reason why I want to work at The Holmstad is very simple. During my clinical training of nursing assistant program at Michealsen Health Center, The Holmstad, I loved the working environment at that place, residents, and employers.  I have been trained, certified and highly motivated and service-focused. I believe that my skills and interest to learn new things would absolutely help me achieving my long-term goals at Holmstad. I just sent my application to a hiring manager.  So I will see… 

Homeless on Campus by Eleanor J. Bader

She writes about students who are attending colleges while being homeless. It doesn't match Mallow's Hierarchy of needs theory but this story reminds me that everything is possible as long as you believe in yourself. So, I am so proud of these people. I know that some college students have everything but they don’t care or they just don’t know what changes they have.  She introduces three students who are homeless college students and explains their stories. Also, Bader talks to several people who have insight into homeless college students. They equally explain how hard to be homeless and attend college.