Tag Archives: voice

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Day 3: One step at a time

Blog starter question: if you could represent yourself with any object, what would it be, and why? 

This was a tough question, it’s not easy to pick one thing that fully represents who I am. But if I had to choose, I’d say a sunflower. It’s grounded with strong roots, always reaching toward the light. It shows quiet resilience and a steady determination to grow, even when things aren’t perfect. A sunflower doesn’t need to be the brightest or loudest; it follows the sun by turning its head throughout the day, always moving toward light and positivity. That steady movement and growth feel like the best way to describe me.

Due to the extreme heat, the university has moved all classes online for the remainder of the week, so we’re continuing with remote learning. I didn’t make as much visible progress today as I had hoped—fewer words on the page and fewer boxes checked off. But even so, it didn’t feel like a loss—not at all.

A highlight of the day came during our breakout group session. We paired up to practice client-consult scenarios and share some much-needed peer support. Hearing how my peers approached their projects gave me new insights into my own. One thing on my mind is how to structure my memoir best. Traditional chapters haven’t felt quite right, at least for my memoir, even after reading and exploring different memoirs and their unique formats. Recently, I’ve been leaning toward organizing the book into broader sections — like Part 1, and Part 2 — rather than conventional chapters. While I didn’t produce many pages today, I left with new sparks of insight that feel just as important. Sometimes progress isn’t about quantity, but the quiet moments that deepen the work. 

A big thank you to Ricki and Jason for the meaningful discussions we had earlier about our projects, exploring both strengths and weaknesses and reflecting on everything it takes to be a writer.

Heat or no heat, the journey continues. See you all (virtually) for Day 4! (:

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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!

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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.

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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?
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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.

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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.

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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.

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Quick Life Update!

Most recent hike Stairway to Heaven – Vernon Twp, NJ

This summer brought significant changes, both in my professional life and in my personal connection with nature. After being promoted to paralegal and head of the Worker’s Compensation department at the law firm, I found myself facing a new set of challenges, from more demanding deadlines to a steeper learning curve. While it was thrilling to take on these new responsibilities for being recognized for my hard work, it also required navigating the unknown. To balance the intensity of this transition, I made it a point to spend more time outdoors, hiking along scenic trails and enjoying the serenity of the beach. These moments in nature provided the clarity and reset I needed to manage the pressures of my new role.

Navigating these changes required more than just technical skills; it called for a shift in mindset. I had to learn to delegate effectively, manage my time with precision, and maintain my well-being amid increased pressure. Balancing work and personal life took on a new dimension, and it was in this demanding environment that I began to second-guess my decision to return to school this semester.

I’m faced with the question many of us face: How do I juggle a full-time job, part-time school, family commitments, and a social life? It’s a daunting task, and the thought of managing all these responsibilities simultaneously has been overwhelming at times.

In the midst of this, I’ve found myself questioning whether I can truly handle everything on my plate. The doubt is real, and the fear of burnout is tangible. Yet, there’s also a part of me that’s deeply grateful for this season of growth. The challenges I’ve faced have been profound learning experiences, and they’ve equipped me with new skills and insights that I can bring into my studies and beyond.

Even though I’m feeling drained, I’m also incredibly grateful. This period of intense growth has taught me the importance of resilience and adaptability. It’s made me more aware of my own strengths and limitations and has shown me that I can handle more than I initially thought.

Returning to grad school after such a transformative summer feels like stepping into a new phase of my educational journey. The skills I’ve honed at work—like strategic thinking, effective communication, and time management—are all assets that will enhance my academic performance. And while the balancing act will be challenging, it’s also an opportunity to apply what I’ve learned in a practical setting. 

I don’t have a definitive thesis topic in mind just yet, but I’m optimistic that I’ll develop one in the coming weeks. As I delve deeper into the coursework and engage with available resources and discussions, I expect a clearer direction to take shape. Exploring different ideas and conducting early research should help pinpoint a specific area of interest. I’m excited about the possibilities and committed to finding a topic that aligns with both my academic and professional background, while also making a meaningful contribution to the field. I’m eager to discover a topic that resonates with me and to work toward a thesis that reflects my growth and aspirations.

student blogs

Reflecting on the Journey: Final Project Ideas and Beyond

Hey all! 

As we stand near the semester’s conclusion, it’s both a reflective and anticipatory moment. The journey we’ve collectively undertaken in our graduate course has been of intellectual exploration and growth. As we approach the final group project, I am excited by the diverse and imaginative ideas many of you have suggested for the group project. 

In these final weeks, the spotlight falls on our final group projects, innovative endeavors that encapsulate not just the knowledge we’ve acquired but the spirit of collaboration and creativity that defines our cohort.

Although I missed class last week, I looked over the workshop brainstorming notes from the previous class. I was excited to see that we all have a connection with the most exciting ideas, the learning outcomes, and how we can make this group project count in a meaningful way that matters most to each of us individually. I recognized the profound connections with the themes we’ve explored in class: Identity, Multiculturalism and multilingualism, AI, Voice, Healing, Trauma and writing, and Pedagogy of the oppressed. These thematic intersections provide a wide-array framework for our project, ensuring that it aligns not only with our collective interests but also a pathway for creating something that resonates on a personal and profound level. 

As I consider how we can make this project impactful, I find myself driven by a desire to venture into the creative realm. I envision crafting a project that transcends the typical academic endeavor, a work that involves both academic exploration and personal, creative growth. This project represents an opportunity to generate content worthy of inclusion on my CV, portfolio, or website, serving as a testament to my academic proficiency and ability to engage with thought-provoking themes in a creative manner.

I enjoyed reading through everyone’s final project suggestions. I thought Michael’s idea of creating a curriculum was creative and innovative. It presents an opportunity for us to apply the readings to theoretical concepts we studied throughout the semester in a practical and impactful way. Crafting a curriculum becomes a channel for our understanding of writing pedagogy, theory, and creative expression into a dynamic learning experience. 

I also enjoyed Fran’s suggestion of writing a fictional story inspired by a real-life struggle that we have encountered, then giving our story to a classmate who will read it, digest the emotional appeal, and then write a poem that reflects the emotions they had felt while reading it. 

The idea of swapping papers and having a classmate respond with a reflective poem introduces an outsider’s perspective. This element of the project encourages a mutual exchange of empathy and understanding. As writers, we often get absorbed in our narratives, and having someone else articulate the emotions they felt while reading our stories can offer new perspectives and illuminate aspects of our struggles that we might not have recognized.

The incorporation of poetry as a response adds a layer of artistic expression. Poetry has a unique ability to distill complex emotions into concise and powerful language. The poems generated through this project will serve not only as reflections of our classmates’ emotional responses but also as creative pieces in their own right, offering a different medium through which to explore and communicate the shared human experience.

This project aligns with the goals of our writing and theory course by integrating theoretical concepts into a practical, creative context. This idea is a meaningful and holistic exploration of personal narratives and creative expression. It has the potential to deepen the understanding of ourselves, and the powerful connection between writing, theory, and the human experience.

I’m open to exploring any additional final project ideas that may arise, and I’m excited about working on this group project with all of you!