I started my college process like every other student: with the SATs. However, unlike most students, I had spent the proceeding 4 months reviewing sentence structure, math concepts and reading techniques. I took practice sections almost every week; I would shut my door and inform the entire house that no one was to disturb me while I prepared for my future. Now, that seriousness makes me laugh, but between the regular SATs and then the subject test, it was my life for almost a year.
Now I’m sure most of you are thinking, “she’s crazy.” Go ahead, admit it. I feel the same way sometimes. I push myself way to hard and worry about things that while important, aren’t that important.
I remember working on my Georgetown application and staring at my computer for almost 5 minutes before actually submitting it. Again, I needed to recheck everything, ensuring that it was perfect. It was my first choice and I knew I’d be devastated if I wasn’t accepted. The month and a half wait to hear the committee’s decision almost killed me. You can ask my friends; I talked about it constantly. “You’ll get in, Taylor. Stop freaking out.” “But what if..” was the chorus on replay in my head.
On the Monday before I was supposed to find out, I was called to Ms. Hirshfield’s. I didn’t know what it was about, but I figured a college had sent me a package, which wasn’t uncommon. I walk in and she’s beaming. I give her the awkward, “I don’t know what’s going on, but it must be good” eyebrow raise.
“So… Georgetown,” she prompted.
“I don’t hear till Wednesday,” I answered.
She was still grinning and then it hit me.
“I got in! I got in!” All of a sudden I was jumping and clapping. No, it was not one of my most modest moments, but I didn’t care. I was too happy for words.
I called my mom, who shared my excitement. “I knew you would, honey.” My dad was even more blunt over the news. “Yeah.. and? It’s not like I didn’t expect it.” Each one of my friends echoed their sentiments. “Of course you did, congrats!” “We knew you would, Taylor.”
The more people I told, the more annoyed I got. Was the accomplishment less impressive because it was expected? Even worse, if everyone else had knew, why hadn’t I? I couldn’t help but wonder, If I had known that everything would work out in the end, would I have let stress dictate my entire high school career?
When I was I think about eight or nine years old I when through this face where I would mimic everything someone said to me. I was also a snitch, I mean I’m not anymore but I was back then. I grew up with my two older sisters and they hated me because I was always telling on them. Like I would eavesdrop while they were on the phone and then later tell my mom what they said. So this one-day they told my mom that they were going to hang out with their girl friends but really they went out with their boy friends. When I found out I couldn’t wait to tell my mom. I mean you no what snitchers like best is to snitch. So as soon as my mom got home from work I ran to her and told her what had happen. Boy was my mom mad, she grabbed her belt and you know what happen next lol. At the time I was all smiles well not for long, the next day when my mom went to work I was done for. Both my sisters grabbed me and locked me up in my mom’s room until my mom was about to get off work and they let me out like they didn’t do anything. Well you know what I did, I told mom what they did to me. And once again you know what my mom did to them. I think it was like a day a two later I was on it again I kept mimicking my oldest sister, but what I forgot was that she had an anger problem. So I kept repeating everything she said. We were both standing on the top of the stairs like in the little hall. And she was like “Arthurline stop repeating everything I say”. And I was like Precious stop repeating everything I say. “I’m not playing with you”. I’m not playing with you. “I swear I will punch you down the stairs”. Now we both know that was not the best idea to repeat what she had just said but knowing me I did anyway. And before I realize I was already rolling down the stairs. That was the last thing I remembered. When I woke up I was in the hospital with bandages on my nose. After an hour my mom asked me if I remember what had happen and boy did I remember lol. I told her everything and once again my sister got in trouble; and she had to take care of me and feed me until got better. If I knew than what I know now I would have never mimic my sister and I would have never gotten a broken nose.
So today I had plans with Rumman but things didn’t work out the way it should have. Like today is so beautiful outside so we were thinking about hanging out and then going to Red Lobster for dinner. But unfortunately we were both so tired that we decided to cancel until tomorrow. Hopefully everything goes on as planned tomorrow because I am craving some shrimp. But since we didn’t go today I have time to go online and look at the menu so that I can be ready for tomorrow. Adios Amigos!
The Woman Warrior
Written By Maxine Hong Kingston
Retold By Arthurline Bowen
Chapter 1 (First page)
Maxine
is a girl who has just reached puberty. Her mother sat her down to tell her
about a very important story that most not repeats itself. Her mother tells her
that it is a warning so that she too isn’t forgotten. What do you mean mom why
would I be forgotten Maxine asked her mother. You’ll find out after I tell you
the story. And her mom went on talking, this story is about your "No Name
Aunt" her mother said. What my “No Name Aunt"? Was that her name
Maxine asked, my Aunt name is no name? I don’t understand I’ve never heard
about her before. Exactly her mother replied it’s because she has been
forgotten. Why was she forgotten Maxine asked with curiosity. Her mother began
to speak and than she stopped and said, this is a secret and must not be told
to anyone else. Why are you talking about mom you are scaring me. This story is
about premarital sex.
What? Just listen the no name aunt was your father's sister who committed suicide by jumping into the family well. Because of her forbidden behavior she was forgotten and the family acts as though she had never been born. What did she do so wrong to cause her to be forgotten by her own family Maxine asked, she had premarital sex. What exactly happen? That’s all you need to know her mother responded. Remember never to do something that is forbidden so that you too won’t be forgotten. Also remember, you must not tell anyone what I have told you her mother said as she walked away. Leaving Maxine with a lot of unanswered questions.
