Tag Archives: Language

student blogs

Day 2: Making Progress

There’s something powerful about stepping away from the everyday, to create space for focus, creativity, and healing intentionally. That’s exactly what this retreat is: a much-needed pause to reconnect with my writing and recenter myself. I’m especially grateful that, despite the intense heatwave, we’re still able to meet remotely for class, it helps ease the transition into our focused space and keeping the sense of connection alive.

At the center of my focus is the memoir I’ve been working on. I still have a long way to go in terms of clarity, figuring out exactly what I want this book to say and how I want it to be structured. And yet, the more I write, the more ideas seem to flow in, uninvited but welcome. It’s like the story is revealing itself to me piece by piece.

Writing, I’ve realized, isn’t just about telling a story. It’s also about healing. This retreat is my opportunity to slow down and sit with myself: to reflect, to process, and to create. I hope to tune out the world for these two weeks and immerse myself in the work: How do I bring shape to the emotions and memories that live in my head? What will the final format look like? Etc. 

After just two days, I can already feel something shifting. There’s a sense of momentum building just like Dr. Zamora mentioned. It’s not just about writing more, but about becoming more connected to the work itself. I feel more grounded, more open, and more ready to face the complex material. 

Part of this journey also involves research. I plan to spend time reading memoirs that resonate. Learning from how others have crafted their stories. I also want to explore the topic of trauma more deeply, and how my own experiences connect to broader narratives. Understanding these themes better will help me write with more intention and honesty.

This retreat is more than just a writing getaway. It’s a space for self-exploration, healing, and creative commitment. And now that I’m finding my rhythm, I’m excited to see what unfolds in the days ahead!

See you all on Zoom!

student blogs

Day 1 Recap


Today marked a wonderful beginning to the summer retreat, and I couldn’t be more grateful to be here finally. This moment has been a long time coming. I’ve tried to take this course twice, but life kept getting in the way, forcing me to withdraw. But this time feels different. This time, I’m ready. I’m excited not only to be here, but to fully commit, to connect, to grow, and to share in this meaningful journey with all of you.

At this point in my life, writing has become more than just a form of expression, it’s a calling. It’s no longer just a way to express myself. It’s how I make sense of the world, how I honor where I come from, and how I begin to heal. I write to tell the story of my family, to capture the voices and moments that have shaped me. There’s something sacred about putting memories into words, like I’m preserving something too important to be forgotten.

I believe each of us is here for a purpose, and part of mine is to share my story with honesty and courage. My journey isn’t perfect, but it’s real, and sometimes, that’s exactly what people need to hear. They need to know that even in the darkest moments, there is a way to move forward; that someone else too has faced fear, pain, and uncertainty, and emerged stronger and more hopeful on the other side. Sharing this truth is my way of lighting the path for others, reminding us all that we are never truly alone and that healing and growth are always possible.

I’m looking forward to taking this time to advance my thesis. I’m currently writing a memoir that explores a transformative chapter in my life, a time that tested me, reshaped me, and ultimately revealed a strength I didn’t know I had. It was one of the most difficult periods I’ve ever faced. That experience didn’t just challenge me, it became the foundation of who I am today. I truly believe that life’s hardships aren’t meant to break us, but to shape us into who we’re meant to become.

During this retreat, I’ll focus not only on refining the story but also on developing additional narratives and conducting deeper research to enrich the memoir. I hope that this work will not only reflect my journey but also speak to others who may find strength in the stories we carry and share.

student blogs

Progress Snapshot

Last week’s class was engaging as we dove into the design and formatting aspects of our projects. Understanding how structure and presentation can shape a narrative has been fascinating and motivating as I continue building my thesis.

While the idea of digitizing my thesis and creating a website is exciting and appeals to a modern audience, I am more drawn to the nature of creating a physical print copy. There’s something about holding a book in your hands. It’s a tangible piece of work that encapsulates a story. Designing a physical version of this memoir feels like a way to honor my sister’s story and create a lasting keepsake for my family and anyone who reads it.

I spent some time in the library database this week, focusing on finding articles to develop my thesis further. Using the research techniques we’ve been learning, I uncovered some promising sources that I’m excited to incorporate into the narrative. These resources feel like the missing pieces I need to add depth and context to the memoir.

In addition to research, I am finishing up the book, Transforming Trauma, which has been an incredible resource. The insights I’m gaining from this book are helping me better frame the themes of trauma and resilience within my sister’s story.

On top of everything, I’ve also been working on my thesis presentation for class this week. Balancing research, reading, and writing has been a lot, but each task contributes to the overall progress. I’m building the foundation piece by piece and it’s rewarding to see the work slowly take shape. While it’s a process watching it take shape, it is deeply fulfilling.

student blogs

Building the Squares of the Quilt

I really appreciated our library visit with Craig last week, it was both informative and meaningful. I learned valuable tips and techniques for finding information in the Kean database, which I’m confident will be useful for the research and literature review portion of my thesis. This week I wrote some more and focused on finding more articles, applying Craig’s suggestion from class to use the PsycArticles database, which is ideal for trauma-related topics, one of the key themes of the memoir. Another great recommendation he gave me for PTSD-related articles was to explore the EBSCOhost database.

Another useful trick I learned from Craig was using the * symbol when searching for articles in the database, known as truncation. Truncation lets you search for a word that may have multiple endings. The symbol is typically an * placed where the word’s spelling might vary. For example, “educat*” can help locate articles on “education,” “educating,” or “educators.” With all of this information, I found a few more articles to add to the “buckets” of my literature review. 

I’m working on different parts of my thesis; from researching, writing the story, and preparing for interviews with my sister and parents. Dr. Zamora said it perfectly last week when she said I’m “building the blocks/squares to the quilt.” That analogy has stuck with me. I had been feeling scattered and worried about not having the story fully mapped out, especially without having the chapters clearly defined. I’m still uncertain about the exact order of the story and how much each chapter will contain, but I know that with time, the chapters will eventually come together seamlessly.

Another really good idea, Dr. Zamora suggested I start the memoir with an autoethnography about myself… So I spent last weekend reading some examples to help me get some inspiration.  I’ve also worked on the questions I would like to ask my sister during our interview, which I’ll paste below… I would love to hear your thoughts and/or suggestions on the questions and how I can better them so that I ensure I get the information/details needed for the story. Let me know your thoughts!

  • Can you tell me about what you remember from the day of the accident? 
  • What were some of your initial thoughts or feelings in the moments after? 
  • How did it feel when you first realized the severity of your injuries? 
  • Did anyone share the news with you directly, or did you sense it on your own?
  • What was going through your mind during those first few days and weeks of recovery?
  • Can you describe what it was like going through physical therapy? What were some of the hardest parts for you?
  • What was it like knowing that I was taking care of Daniela during this period? Did it bring you any sense of comfort?
  • How would you say this experience has shaped you as a person? Do you feel that you’ve grown or changed in ways you didn’t expect?
  • What role did hope, faith, or any specific beliefs play in helping you through this journey?
  • When you reflect on everything you’ve gone through, what stands out most to you about the recovery experience?
  • What are you most hopeful for? How do you see yourself moving forward and continuing to embrace life?
student blogs

Embracing the Process

This week, I made some progress by continuing to write and piece together different sections of the story. One thing that’s been on my mind is where to incorporate my sister’s experience of the accident into the story. I was thinking of maybe making it a possible introduction to the memoir? I’m hopeful that it’ll fit in seamlessly, but I trust that it will come together in time. I also had the idea of including a letter to my sister at the end of the memoir. I haven’t written it yet, but it seems like an interesting way to conclude. I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts on this!

After last week’s class discussion on thesis organization, I realized I could refine my process a bit more. I had everything saved in a Google Doc within a single folder, but I decided to take it further. I spent some time reorganizing and creating sub-folders within the main folder that houses my entire thesis project. Now, each section has its own dedicated space, from notes, research, the thesis itself, chapter titles, pictures, etc…making it easier to manage and track my progress. It’s a simple adjustment, but it’s already made my workflow much more efficient.

I also use my phone for reminders, setting alerts for tasks like writing/editing, research, or revisiting a section. Having these reminders pop up keeps me accountable and ensures I don’t overlook anything important. Between my digital organization and the phone reminders, I’ve found a system that really helps me stay on top of things and make steady progress.

For my literature review, I’ve found two more research articles through Kean’s database that I think will be helpful for my thesis. I’m excited about our next class and upcoming research presentation at the Library next week. It’ll be a great, much-needed, refresher for me on how to navigate resources more efficiently and find what I need faster.

In addition to the articles I’m gathering for my literature review, which focus on the trauma aspect of a cervical injury, I also want to explore themes of healing and self-discovery. I’ve done some research through the database, but I haven’t come across anything particularly useful for that part of my thesis. So, I started looking into books on trauma and self-healing, and I found Transforming Trauma by Dr. James Gordon. In his decades of firsthand experience, Gordon emphasizes that trauma is something we’ll all encounter at some point, but he also believes we all have the capacity to heal ourselves. He talks about how, despite the devastation trauma can cause, it can also open us up to deeper understanding, greater purpose, and even more love. I think this perspective will be really valuable for the healing component of my thesis.

student blogs

Life Lately

Life has been quite busy lately between work, school, and personal life. My father recently had surgery, which has been a big focus for me and my family. I’ve been able to spend some time with him, and we’ve had meaningful conversations. One moment that stands out was when we saw a commercial of a person doing occupational therapy. It reminded me of my sister’s accident, which feels like it happened just yesterday.

It’s hard to believe that on October 21, 2024, it will be three years since that day—a day that completely changed the course of my family’s life. Dealing with these emotions has been challenging, especially while working on my thesis. For those who don’t know, I’m writing a memoir about my sister, focusing on the accident and its impact on my family.

I’m excited to share that I recently also had a conversation with my sister, and she has agreed to give me a piece that she wrote during the time of the accident. I think it will be an amazing addition to the memoir, offering her own perspective and words from that period. It feels like a crucial piece to include.

Currently, I’m still in the discovery phase, gathering memories, conducting family interviews, doing research—particularly about her C3-C7 neck fracture, and piecing everything together.

Progress, no matter how small, adds up over time.

student blogs

Finding Inspiration

A few weeks ago, I picked up a book called The Story of My Life, filled with a diverse range of writing prompts designed to write about personal reflection. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I hoped it would give me some structure and inspiration as I work through the more difficult parts of my memoir. It has turned out to be exactly what I needed.

The prompts have been incredibly useful in helping me free write and discover new ideas about my sister’s story and mine. I feel that when you’re so close to a story, it’s easy to miss the smaller moments that make it whole. But I was meant to buy this book. Perfect timing. I picked it up casually grocery shopping at Walmart on a Sunday evening. This new book has been a tool in helping me reconnect with memories and emotions tied with my sister and our shared experiences together.

Unlocking New Details

I’ve been surprised by how much I’ve been able to uncover with these prompts. Each question seems to push me in a new direction, helping me recall specific moments I had forgotten, or hadn’t realized were so important. For example, one prompt asked me to describe a moment in my life when I felt both joy and sorrow at the same time. That led me to write about the time I saw and recorded my sister taking her first steps two weeks after the accident, a bittersweet moment that I hadn’t planned to explore/write just yet, but now feels central to the story.

This book is not just helping me organize the facts and events, but it’s also pushing me to explore the emotions behind them. It’s making me look at the little things: our conversations and how we always support each other through difficult times. It’s not just about the big events, it’s about the little moments, the emotions that accompanied them, and the impact they had on both of us. The prompts have given me a new sense of clarity and focus as I move forward with the memoir.

I’m also starting to think about the kind of research that will help deepen my understanding of the themes I want to explore. Since my memoir revolves around my sister, our family, and the impact of the accident on our lives, I need to go beyond just personal reflections and memories. Researching grief, trauma, and resilience; particularly how these themes play out within families will be essential for adding depth to my writing.

As I continue to develop my thesis, I’m realizing how important it is to delve deeper into certain areas of research to strengthen the narrative. In addition to exploring themes of grief, trauma, and resilience, I would like to also research the specifics of my sister’s injury: C1-C3 neck vertebrae fracture. Understanding the medical and emotional implications of such a severe injury will be crucial for capturing the reality of her experience, as well as how it affected our family dynamics.

By studying the medical aspects of spinal injuries, I hope to provide more context around her recovery and the challenges we faced. This research will not only inform the memoir but also help me approach the story with more accuracy. Moreover, it will allow me to explore the long-term physical and emotional impacts of such trauma, which are vital to understanding the deeper layers of our journey through this life-altering event.

student blogs

In the Works…

The Beginnings of My Thesis Project:

Hi all! For those who know me, whether through past classes or personal conversations, you’ve likely heard me talk about my sister and the tragic car accident that changed our lives. It’s a story I’ve carried with me for a long time, and now, in the midst of my thesis project, I find myself ready to explore it in a way I never have before. The decision to write a memoir about my sister wasn’t an easy one, but the process of discovering this idea felt both inevitable and necessary.

The Seeds of the Memoir

When I first began thinking about potential thesis topics, my first focus was on areas directly related to my professional background, particularly themes tied to my current role in being a paralegal. Yet, there was this persistent pull toward something more personal—something raw, intimate, and transformative. As I reflected on my experiences, I realized that my sister’s story, and by extension, my own, deserved to be told.

This was not just a moment of personal reckoning, but a turning point in my creative process. I needed to dig deep, beyond the academic and professional, to something that I felt was at the core of my being. The accident that almost took my sister’s life forever shaped the person I am today. But, more importantly, it defined the way I understood loss, resilience, and healing.

Entering the Discovery Phase

Once I made the decision to write about my sister, the real work began—rediscovering memories, feelings, and events I hadn’t fully processed before. I knew that writing a memoir would mean revisiting painful moments, but I also knew that it would offer a chance for reflection and, perhaps, closure.

During this discovery phase, I started by mapping out the key moments in our relationship—before and after the accident. The process was, and still is, emotionally taxing. It’s not just about writing a story; it’s about reliving one. There are times when I sit in my kitchen table and stare at a blank page, unsure of how to give life to something so personal. But then, memories flood back—her smile, her laugh, her essence. That’s when I realize this memoir is not just about the accident. It’s about her life, and my journey through grief and healing.

The Power of Reflection

While reflecting on the events leading up to the accident is difficult, there’s also a deep sense of purpose in this process. I am learning not only about my sister but also about myself. How did her life and loss shape my decisions? How did it guide my career and the paths I’ve chosen since?

This reflection has brought up many questions, and in some ways, I don’t yet have all the answers. But I’ve come to understand that this thesis will be a living project. As I write, I continue to discover new layers of meaning in the memories I once buried or tried to forget. And through that discovery, I’m finding a voice that feels authentic and true to our shared experience.

Moving Forward

I’m still in the early stages of writing this memoir, and the path ahead feels daunting. But there’s a certain freedom in embracing this challenge. Writing about my sister’s life is both an act of love and remembrance. It’s also an exploration of how we survive loss and the ways in which our stories, painful as they are, need to be told.

This thesis project will likely evolve as I go deeper into the writing process. I expect there will be moments of frustration, of deep sadness, but also moments of joy as I rediscover parts of my sister that I thought had faded with time. Writing this memoir is not only a way of honoring the impact she has had on my life, but also a chance for me to reflect and grow. It’s about preserving the connection we still share and celebrating her life in a way that gives voice to both our journeys.

student blogs

Let’s play a game…. Unraveling Poetry

(An Experimental Piece)

Welcome aboard Poetry Quest, where words become your compass and poetry is the map! In this game, you’ll embark on a journey through the vast seas of language, exploring different poetic forms and unlocking the mysteries of verse. Are you ready to set sail and discover the wonders that await?

Objective: To complete each level by solving word puzzles and creating poetry that fits the given prompt. As you progress, you’ll unlock new challenges and poetic forms to explore.

Level 1: Rhyme Riddles

In this level, you’ll encounter rhyming riddles that describe common objects or concepts. Your task is to decipher the riddle and write a short poem using the clues provided. Be sure to include words that rhyme with the given clues to unlock the next level!

Example Riddle:

I’m tall and green, with leaves so wide,

I sway in the breeze, with grace and pride.

My trunk is strong, my branches high,

In forests deep, I touch the sky.

—>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Level 2: Acrostic Adventure

In this level, you’ll be challenged to create an acrostic poem using a given word or phrase. Each line of your poem should begin with the corresponding letter of the word or phrase. Get creative and see how many unique acrostic poems you can compose!

Example Word: SUNSHINE

S pirits lifted by your golden glow,

U nderneath your warmth, we grow.

N ature’s canvas painted bright,

S parkling rays fill the day and night.

H earts are warmed by your embrace,

I lluminating every space.

N estled in your light, we find,

E ternal joy and peace of mind.

—>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Level 3: Haiku Harmony

In this level, you’ll delve into the world of haiku poetry. Your challenge is to write a haiku inspired by the given theme or image. Remember, a haiku consists of three lines with a 5-7-5 syllable pattern. Let your imagination soar as you capture the essence of the moment in just a few words!

Example Theme: Spring Blossoms

Cherry blossoms bloom,

Petals drift on gentle breeze,

Nature’s silent song.

—>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Level 4: Sonnet Solace

Prepare to tackle the Sonnet Solace challenge! Craft a sonnet following the traditional 14-line structure with iambic pentameter. Explore themes of love, loss, or beauty as you weave together intricate rhyme schemes and deep sentiments.

Example Opening Lines:

In twilight’s embrace, the day takes flight,

As shadows lengthen and stars ignite.

—>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Thank you for completing Poetry Quest! We hope you enjoyed this wordplay adventure and discovered the joy of poetry along the way. Keep exploring, keep writing, keep creating, and let your words carry you to new horizons!

student blogs

Beloved Sunflower

Sunflower field under blue sky during daytime.

In the fields of gold where summer’s warmth resides 

A sunflower stands proud gazing towards the sun 

Its petals spread wide like golden tides, 

A testament to nature’s art so finely spun.

Oh, sunflower fair in brilliance you gleam, 

A light of joy in the fields of green 

With every gentle sway you dance and dream 

A sight so splendid that you can’t unsee.

Amidst the whispers of the gentle breeze, 

Your beauty flourishes as a sight to admire 

In your radiant presence the soul finds ease 

As you stand tall in nature’s choir.

Oh, how you captivate with every bloom, 

My most favorite flower in sunlight’s room.