Becoming an Adult

The thought of leaving behind everything and everyone I was comfortable with used to frighten me. Moving out my parent’s house used to travel in my thoughts like a huge, terrifying monster that I would not have to worry about for a long time. Now that I’m about to finish my Associate degree in Biology and about begin my life into the real world, that monster is quickly approaching. However, I no longer look at growing up and leaving my parent’s house as a traumatic event, but rather as a brand new adventure to embark on. The reason I now feel ready to jump right into this adventure is majorly due to my experience living with my aunt.

My aunt‘s home has been my retreat for the past 6 months. I moved in with her due to my parent’s insecurity of me becoming an adult and experiencing life. While living with my aunt, I have learned what responsibility meant on a whole new level. I have been responsible for making decisions on my own, using my free time wisely, paying my bills on time and respecting the opinions of others.  I was not being constantly pounced, followed, or watch by her. Instead she gave me space and trusted my decisions. She allowed me learn myself, and learn to become independent. She took the negativity which I once lived out of my life and showed me nothing but positive.  She shaped my perceptive on how I viewed things. She gave me the encouragement and support I needed in becoming the young adult I am.

Upon living with my aunt, I found myself acting less like a teenager, and more like a young adult. For instance instead of requesting for someone to accompany me when going to take care of business, I take the responsibility to do it on my own. I now know that it is best not to depend on others to much and always be prepared to take on obstacles on my own. In other words she taught me how to be a go-getter. I also now learn to budget my money now that I have no other source of receiving money. I am not as naive as I was when living with my parents. One thing I have still not accomplish is putting base in voice ( she says I talking like a child, and needs a more firmer voice). I do not think I will be accomplishing that anytime soon, so she will just have to live with that.

Independence is another large aspect of becoming an adult, and by being required to rely on myself to solve problems in the real world. I have a newly found confidence in myself and in others have prepared me for what lies ahead in life. The experience of being an adult, in my eyes, is intended to promote one’s growth as an individual while being surrounded by and involved with many diverse groups of people. My experience with living with my aunt as taught me just how to do that.

Light Pollution

For my research paper I decided to write about light pollution. I feel that light pollution is something we tend to look over and fail to see the destruction it causes on a day to day basis. Not only are we hurting our self as human but we are affection other organisms ( including animals and plants) around us. The reason for this all is the lack of awareness of the issue. When looked at the problem really is not that hard to fix, with the right information and the will power this issue can be solved. Simply things such as making sure your outdoor lights are directed down to the ground where it is needed, picking the correct light bulbs for the task, Control the amount of light for the job required,using the right amount of light for the task, not overkill. Light pollution can be solved one town at a time, if we really wanted to.

My research will consist of four sections – What is light pollution? Why is light pollution awareness important? What can we do about light pollution? Lastly, my conclusion.

1. What is light pollution? This section will explain the components of light pollution such as light trespass, sky-glow, and glare. In this section I will identify the problem of lighting hat is commonly used in and around homes like street lights, upward aimed lights, flood lights, and lights without hoods.
2. Why is light pollution awareness important? In this section I will discuss the astronomical, ecological, and environmental consequences of light pollution. For example, I will explain how visions of night sky is obscured, how common animals are affected, and how humans are affected, linking this with information provided from the documentary City Dark (sea turtles, visibility of stars in well-lit cities). I will also include information about the energy, and the money that could be saved with the use of appropriate artificial light.
3. What can you do about light pollution? In this section, I will discuss ways that homeowners can reduce light pollution along with businesses. This will included easy suggestions for appropriate wattage, light covering, and reducing the use of outside lighting. Here I would use some of my secondary sources, that explains simple designing and their suggestions to fixing light pollution.
4. Conclusion. This will be the final section of my research paper where I summarize what was discussed and put a final stress to the issue.

I feel that my paper will demonstrate both kairos( due to the fact that light pollution is becoming and issue and its on high rise) and ethos appeal ( because I will be using the the participants from the documentary and their claims in my research).

Crimes and Lighting

Lighting is often assumed to reduce crime without question. According to the director Ian Cheney, “ there is no controversy over whether more lights lead to less crime, but there is agreement that light seems to make people feel safer, almost like it’s built into our genes to move closer to the campfire or to the brightest city.

I agree, with the statement of us feeling safer a well-lit place. But,I am doubtful that people are attracted to well-lit cities for safety from burglars. People due tend to believe they are much safer when their environment is lighten. This is why you find many people have motion lights in their yard, they feel that it scares off their predator, or you tend t see neighborhoods with more lights. As someone takes a stroll late night in the park, they get the sense that they cannot become a victim because their surroundings are well lit. People believe that criminals are not bold enough to commit crimes a well-lit environment. I feel that this mentality, is why people are scared of the dark.

As a woman , I hate being in darkness, because I feel that in the dark you are vulnerable. Your vision is partial when surrounded by darkness. Anything can happen in the dark, kidnapped, kill, robbed, and much more. If someone is going to commit a crime it will be better to do so in the dark. But, by having a well-lit environment these events are likely to be prevented.

As humans we have grown to the comfort and security light has to bring. So I can see why people would believe more light leads to less crimes. I personally do not believe light reduces crime, nor do I believe it increases crimes, but then again others state otherwise.

See, lighting has a its pros and cons when viewed closely. For example, street lighting could prevent crime by improving visibility and so increasing perceived risk and also by encouraging public street usage which intensifies natural surveillance . Lighting can highlight potential targets, and even escape routes - in short, light can help criminals be quick and quiet. Lighting can help criminals see what they are doing, minimizing any risk to themselves. So by having it in our heads that the light actually protects us from criminals , actually makes us potential victims.

When reading the quote you get the sense of Cheney saying it is a tendency to seek light, all because it gives the sense of security. Light stands as a guided path for us, and for us, it is our need to follow this guided path. 

The City Dark

"Chad Moore, of the National Parks Service, reminds us, When we add light to the environment, that has the potential to disrupt habitat, just like running a bulldozer over the landscape can. Darkness is a necessary habitat for nocturnal animals, so what's the habitat for people?" (qtd. in City Dark)

 

Light pollution produces these destructive consequences. Every living thing depends on the Earth's regular rhythm of day and night to manage internal cycles. Some animals depend on this dark source to search for food and mate. But, us as human beings do not worry about how other living organisms will adapt to our convenience.

 When reading this quote you have to stop and think about how selfish we look, but also how we are harming the life of other living organisms. Light pollution is harming the lives of animals such as birds, sea turtles and even plants.  For example, birds use the moonlight and stars as a way of navigating through the night skies, but with brightly- lighten cities they become disoriented and crash into these brightly- lighten buildings. Another example, some plants bloom at night but with the excessive use of lights, prevents this from happening.

As seen in the documentary light pollution also endangers sea turtles. Sea turtles are attracted to light. Newly born sea turtles need the dark sky to find their way towards the sea, but because of artificial light behind the beach, they end up heading towards the cities instead of the sea.

Animals that have to avoid predators, such as frogs, or snakes, constrain their movements under a full moon, and hunt on moonless night, others search for food after dark, but because of high use of lights, they never get to see that darkness they wait for.

The things that we find so convenience in our daily lives have now token a toll on other organisms. I feel as though, we do not worry about things unless they affect us. So let me state, not only are animals and plants affected by light pollution, but we as human beings are. Light pollution (Indoor lights and outdoor) affect our melatonin level which can lead to cancer. Indoor and outdoor light sources affect our basic cycle within our bodies.

With that being said, “Are we actually benefiting from our excess use of light source?” Not really, if you ask me. Cancer is not beneficial for one’s health.

The sad part about this whole thing is that this type of pollution continues to spread and intensify in countries throughout the world, and many people remain unaware of its negative impact. We have grown to enjoy the things ease our living, but can cause potential harm to not just animals, but us too.

By turning off unnecessary lighting, closing your blinds while lights are on, or turning off the television before you go to bed, you are making difference. With a few cut backs, and new designs, we can put an end to light pollution, and preserve our planet.

Wait, Where's the Sky!!!!!!

     About three nights ago my boyfriend and I went on to his back porch to take a look at the night sky. There was barely anything to see, besides a blank canvas.  We literally could count every star that was visible from our sight, and believe me there wasn’t many. I was quite shock because back at home in the islands, the sky would normally be lit, with little diamonds that cluttered the night sky.

I remember as a little girl walking with my mom to the beach, where we would look up at the night sky trying to count every little diamond as she would say. The sky was so beautiful and lit. The stars were so bright and made my mom and I look small compared to them.  I felt as though the night sky complemented the beach each time we visited.

The night sky in Houston has nothing on the night sky back home.  The night sky here in Houston projects nothing but a gloomy sky. It’s as though the sky is wrapped in this foggy plastic cover, where you can barely get a good view of its true beauty. This foggy plastic cover would be referred by astrologist as light pollution.

I find it sad that because of the light pollution here in Houston new cannot view the true beauty of the night sky.  We are unable to see the sky with our own eyes, which is sad. I feel as a city we should do something about this.  With light pollution here, people who are interested in astronomy will not be able benefit.  Children cannot go in their backyard and actually witness one of nature’s beautiful sights for themselves.

I’m sure I am not the only one who is troubled by this, and if I am the only one who is concerned that is sad.  We need to raise the awareness, to help reduce light pollution. Like seriously, who finds staring at a blank sky fascinating, I sure don’t. If we don’t do something about this situation now, the younger generation will grow up unable to see the stars that light up the night sky.

It’s kind of funny how this week blog topic was a huge eye-opener to me. It raised my awareness on how we as human can find comfort in the things we need such as light, but also how we fail to see how simple things go disappearing right before our eyes. I never noticed that there was not stars in the sky until told to do so.  Sad I know, but I’m sure I am not the only one. I them thought about how my mom would take me out to look at the sky as a little girl, and how infatuated I was with the night sky too now, where you can only get a view of darkness.  Those little diamonds that once use to light up the night sky have now slowly began to vanish before our eyes.

Love Spoken In An Unusual Way

Majority of poems are about love or the harsh after taste of a relationship which was once sweet, to a relationship gone bitter. Carol Ann Duffy's poem "Valentines" and Julie Sheehan's poem "Hate", both express love.

When you first take a look at Julie Sheehan's poem "Hate", you would assume that the poem is about hate, but instead the poem is about love. The poem given from a woman's perspective. She goes into a great depth of details, attempting to make the readers and herself feel as though she hates this person she speaks about. When you clearly get the sense that this a woman that is obsessed with this person she speaks about. For example, she states " Everything about me hates everything about you… The history of this key-chain hates you… My aorta hates you.  Also my ancestors… Layers of hate, a parfait.”  Here she gives a detailed list of hate which truly  symbolizes how she constantly thinks of him, and sees him in every detail of her life. Another example that's give strong proof of this is when she goes on by saying, "My lungs, duplicitous twins, expand with the utter validity of my hate, which can never have enough of you.”  Shes admitting that her every breath is a thought of him. You get the sense that she  fears the power of this love, and would prefer to think of it as hate. 

Opposed to Julie Sheehan's poem "Hate", Carol Ann Duffy poem "Valentines", describes the love between two people and how one uses an onions to represent the love they share. She also goes on by using the scent of an onion to describe if one was to leave the relationship, the lethal scent of an onion will for ever be cling to them, no matter if new love was to be found. In this poem She rejects the gifts typically associated with Valentine’s Day, such as ‘red-rose’, ‘satin cloth’, ‘cute card’, ‘kissogram’ but by bringing an ‘Onion’ as a gift which we find in the second line as “I give you an onion”.This poem symbolizes how real love is. The different layers of the onion are like the layers of someone’s personality. Beauty is just skin deep, but discovery of true character deepens one’s love. Carol describes a beautiful idea that true love is not based on the color of the skin or appearance, but in discovering the true personality of the other.

The two poems share the theme of love, Duffy's poem tone was a bit more aggressive than Sheehan's, whose poem was more in the tone of an obsessed woman. I feel that unlike Sheehan's poem, Duffy's poem can be seen from both a females and males perspective, but the male perspective more seldom. Both poems have an extensive use of negative language. 

I really enjoyed both poems and how the authors of these poems describe love in such different styles. I feel like both poets succeeded when it came to developing a connection with the poem.

"The Arm"

In the poem "The Arm", it tells an interesting off-beat story. I find this poem to be interesting simply because most poems do not start off with a line such as, "A doll’s pink, broken-off arm was floating in a pond. The man had come to with his dog.” It gives a whole different feel to opening lines. The meanings behind his words are very serious, tough, and most of the poem shows or represents sad thoughts. Which lead me to wonder why would the poet begin his poem with such a line? I find this line highly unusual. 

Another thing that was quite confusing and a bit odd was the poet referring to the subject "The man" as of to “A man". Normally a poems use first person, but this poet uses third person. If anything I would think that the poet would refer to the man for the first time as “A man". The use of “the” gives the reader a sense of already being familiar with the man, and gives the character a much different persona in the reader’s mind.

Another question that came to my mind while reading this poem is, “Who exactly is this man, who would see the arm of a doll in a pond on his walk and not regard it as garbage, but as a piece of plastic with a history, which someone once held dearly?" I wonder if the reason the man stopped is that the arm could have possibly brought back memories or a similar incident. I mean for example, the scenario he give us of an older sister being furious at her younger sister, taking it out on her one limb at a time. Maybe that the arm was in the water because the man came in the future and is remembering when he threw that doll’s arm that belonged to his sister in the water and forgot about it.

After my first analysis of the poem, I did not fully understand it, however, is kept on re-reading it over and over, thinking deeper into the meaning. The poem covers Covering sibling rivalry, sexuality, and marital differences, and probably more I probably did not even recognize, this poem is more complex in one page then most short poems or books I’ve read. The poet uses subtlety to tell the story of two rivaling sisters that fight and argue and at the peak of a dispute; the older sibling throws an arm from the younger girl’s doll in the pond. I feel that approach was probably to create a deep connection with the reader.

However, the poet goes on by pushing the level of complexity in this poem even further, by including a father’s dislike for his son’s sexuality. Explaining that taking the arm off of the doll was the father’s idea of a punishment. At this point, it would seem that those are the only messages that the poet is trying to tell us, but even in the final lines of the poem, he adds an even more subtle conflict/issue. Stating, “his wife was sure to question” which also leaves the impression in in my mind that he was also thinking of the differences in opinion or belief between a man and his wife.

One thing I did enjoy about this poem is the symbolic element of this man reacting to an odd situation in a good way, embracing it rather than ignoring it. I feel that the poem in general shows that this character reacts to odd situations like this in a good way all the time, taking advantage of things that most people wouldn’t. I really enjoyed  that this poem is both a story and a more general message about the character in it.

After Effect

" Ever After" by Joyce Sutphen

vs.

"What I Want" by George Bilgere

These two poems are extremely unique because they both address love of past relationships. Both poems address the same topic but they both address the topic in different ways. Not only does both poems address past relationships but they also express what they need.

In both, the narrators do not dwell on the negative things, but in one the narrator tries to think of the situation over objectively, while the other has a revenge motif  This is where the sadness of both poem comes from. I feel as though both poem do not try sugar-coat anything, and you get this honest and frank picture of a couples who used to love each other but whose love for each other has changed along the way.

Both poems address the sadness of each narrator's life (clearly their failed marriages).

In the first poem " Ever After", the narrator is able to describe emotions which prose can not. You are able to capture the emotions a woman who has been divorced and left to find out who she truly is. The poem itself portrays that after her divorced or separation of the persons she speaks of she has some curiosity of who she is to this person now,than just an ex.

In the second poem, the narrator uses anaphora or the repetition of initial opening words or phrases, throughout the poem.  The central idea of "I Want" is repeated and adds a plaintive quality to the structure of the poem. The poem does not sound like whining.  Rather, the list of things the speaker wants goes from the lyrically precise things such as his description of talking with his aunt "In the humid summer twilight, as the hot/St Louis day expires upon the water/And the moth-eaten Chinese lanterns /Glow like faded Kodachrome."  

As in the first poem the narrator addresses some of the sadness of his life (clearly his failed marriage, his father's drinking, the loss of his aunt, as well as numerous other relationships that no longer exist.) I found that the poem mood was hopeful. The narrator wants both beautiful things, as well as revenge. 

I really enjoyed this poem because of the revenge motif..the repeated threats and wished horrors for his ex-wife and all his wants which some I consider needs. I also like how the poem doesn't just include bashing of his ex-wife. Rather, he takes this as a way to both reflect and state on what he does need.

These two poems are so different in their own way but both pass the same message. They both project what they need. The poems both do a good job of portraying very memorable items and image. For example in the first poem the narrator describe the moment where her ex and her were holding the knife that cut their wedding cake. Another example would be from the second poem where he tells about a couple on their paddle boat coming in from the lake. Both poems lack complete details of both narrators past relationships, but gives enough to show the sadness of their lives.

"To Stammering"

When I first read this poem, I clearly did not know what the heck it was about. But when I read it a second time I think I figured out the meaning of this poem. The first line pulls you in by directly addressing the poem’s subject: “Where did you come from, lamentable quality?” (line 1).Clearly, the narrator, is looking back on his speech impairment because “Before” the speaker “had a life” its stammer was “about to ruin” its “life” (line 2).
I think that the narrator is looking back on his speech impairment. I wondered why the narrator used the subjective pronoun "You", throughout his poem, but then I realized that the use of the subjective pronoun was to address his stammering.
The narrator speech impediment was an “experience of enemies from inside” and this inward conflict caused all sorts of outward conflicts because it “ruined a cast party”, showed a lack of “confidence”, and showed a lack of “manliness” (lines 13, 14, 15). The narrator then made a statement that the stammer was more troubling than the “big boys / who cursed [him] and hit [him]” because he was unable to understand the conflict fully without “psychoanalysis” (lines 6-7, 18).
Throughout the poem the narrator projected anger toward his stammer but at the end of his poem their was a sense of understanding. The voice’s “elders said” “Don’t brood about things” and maybe they were right (line 4). Was he trying to imply that maybe the answer is to just get mad and then time for getting even comes later? Maybe. Its clear that he got over his problem though.
I feel that through out the poem the narrator was discovering himself. I also feel that the narrator had you use direct address to tell of his childhood-pass, and could not have done so another way. I feel like the use of this gives him another chance to say thing never said in verse.
After reading the poem I was like, why the use of second person so much, but then I came to realization he was addressing the subjects in his title. I found it to be unusual and a hard mode of expression to pull off be the narrator was able to execute it perfectly. I really found the narrators style of address both beautiful and different.
The narrators style of writing is very impressive. I found this poem to be very different from any other poem I read. I would like to try my hand at this stance some day, brainstorm times and personal traits that have yet to be fully explored and then speak to them directly. My feeling here is that unexpected conclusions would arise naturally and much that lies buried beneath my surface would soon rise to the surface. This poem intrigued me so much and also showed a reflection of my pass, which I will not discuss at the moment.

Stitches: A Memoir

[Taken From: whaatnext.wordpress.com ]

The book Stitches is a beautifully told graphic novel of one boys journey through a twisted world  of unhappiness and a dysfunctional family, where abuse was physical and emotional and expression was forbidden. 

In the beginning I found the book Stitches to be quite an unusual book which was completely made of sketches you would see in a comic book, but I found that these sketches were a perfect way to tell a story of this boy who loses his vocal cords at a young age due to cancer. Pictures as we all know tend say more than words could. The author made a clever decision of using pictures capture his frustration, sadness, the lack of ability to stand up for himself and fear of a young boy. 

I feel that the black and white of the illustrations worked amazingly to tell his story. Gray was a great hue for this novel considering the fact that the novel reveals Small's lonely and bleak childhood. Some of the best frames are when the author uses direct light source on the characters. For example when David goes into the elevator, and the door opens and closes, the author does a wonderful job of creating that direct lighting effect. The author does if throughout the book and if reading the book I recommend you stop and study the frames.

The illustrations in this book are just phenomenal. Even when there no dialogue the picture speak for them self. I think the beauty of this book comes from Small's illustration, the way he uses his illustrations to show emotion  and tell his story. Small's vision is extraordinary, he takes us as the readers through this journey of his life with artwork which hold breathtaking power. His illustrations remarkably cinematic, I mean down to the tiniest details.

One thing that I did notice through out his illustrations was the pictures of the modern furniture, which instantly told you this was during the baby boomer generations. For example all the lit cigarettes, cocktail parties and highballs, all gave you the sense of which generation he grew up in.

The author uses  a series of images so powerful and absorbing. The use of these illustrations allow us as readers to see the perceptions of this boy without Small persisting self- righteousness of that stance. These illustrations allows the author to show at the same time how he was a victim but to separate himself from the claims of victim-hood.

My honest opinion is that if this book had not include these illustrations, it would not be what it is. The illustrations add so much to this book. I've never read a graphic novel before, and probably never would have, if it was not selected for me to read for my English class. This novel completed changed my mind of graphic novels. I'm in love with this book and the authors clever ways of expressing his emotions through illustrations.

If you have never read a graphic novel in your life, this ones worth reading.

I Have A Father?????

Like millions of people, I grew up in a single-parent household. My dad had disappeared on my mom, when he found out she was pregnant with me. I think he ran away due to the fact that was a huge gap between their ages, but she claims the reason for him vanishing on us, was because he was chasing after another lady. My mom at the time was only fifteen years old, and like me grew up in a single-parent household. She had lost her mom due to osteoporosis. 

My mom did the best she could to support me. She had quit going to school and started working at a minimum wage job. At the age of ten, I remember my mom coming home one evening with a sad look on her face. I asked what was wrong , but she never gave me an answer. I went to bed that night concerned about the unfamiliar look that was on my mother's face. 

The next day I woke up to the voice of my mother. It was not as soft and calm as it usually was, instead I heard frustration and anger within her voice. I got out my bed and asked her what was wrong, she had responded by handing me the phone. I was greeted by and unfamiliar voice, a voice filled with shame and grief. I looked at my mom and ask, "Who is this mom?", she replied in a low voice, "Your father...".

The blank expression on my faced told it all. For the rest of the day all I could think about was the unfamiliar voice that had entered my memory bank. My did not say much the rest of the day. It seemed like she had been dreading something and that something was about to soon be revealed.

I began to talk to my father on a daily, sometimes before I go to school or before going to bed, He began to send me gifts and and letters. This stranger and I  had developed a bond through our daily conversations.  My mom had went back to her old self and things seemed a little better. She had now began to smile, which was rarely ever seen.  

It was my eleventh birthday, and it was suppose to be a very special day for me. My mom had put on my pink dress, which I had been saving to wear on my birthday for several months. The apartment was filled with vibrant colors of pink and in the middle sat my birthday cake. I looked at the clock and realized that in five minutes my dad should be arriving and my door front. 

As anxious as I was I sat in front the door waiting for the stranger. As minutes went by, I waited and waited.

Hours came along and there was still no knock from the stranger. My mom began to pace back and front around the kitchen with a regretful look on her face. 

Five hours went by and I had got up and looked at my mom, "He's not coming is he?", I asked. She replied with tears, tears that had ran down her freshly pressed face. I hugged her and reassured her that everything was going to be okay.

We spent the rest of the night reminiscing on the things that I did in my younger age and all the good times . I never heard from the stranger again until I was thirteen. Now looking back on this, I realize that you can't put your trust in a stranger, unless that stranger has proven their self. It hurt me that my dad never had showed up and that he put so much effort into developing a relationship with me which later left to disappointment. But then again, I feel like it was a valuable life lesson and that lesson was reality. Things aren't always as good as they seem......

Yellow Pants

It was my first day at school, and like anyone going on a new quest, I was nervous, but at the same time excited. As I walked in the classroom I did something that I have never done, I wet myself. I looked around to see if anyone of my fellow classmates had caught me in the act. I looked down at the puddle I had created, and began to cry. 

"What are you crying for Ahfelisha?" asked the teacher.

"Please mam' I replied, please don't be mad, I am so sorry."

I could have got away with it if I had put on the black skirt my mom had suggested I wore, instead of being stubborn, and wanting to wear my yellow pants. All around the crotch and inner thighs of my yellow pants were soaking, and you didn't have to be Albert Einstein to figure out what had happened.

Thankfully my teacher took me quietly away to the bathroom, allowing me to clean myself up.'I will wait outside' she responded, I figured she was aware of my shame and need for some alone time. "Look under the door", she said, There was a bag with the extra clothing my mom had sent. "Tell me when you've done and I'll come back and get you." I cleaned myself up and yelled out for   her and she opened the door slightly to take my hand.

She looked over to me and stated, "It’s okay, we all get nervous for something, smiling." As embarrassed as I was, I did not respond. Before we entered the class room my teacher had stopped, she stood in front of me playfully saying, "Let’s pretend this never happen, It will be our little secret." "What about the other students", I said. "I will explain the reason for your action." 

I walked into to classroom, where I was greeted by my fellow classmates staring eyes. I sat down in my seat with my head down, embarrassed. After a few minutes of nothing but awkward silence, I looked up to find my classmates standing around me. For a second I thought they were going to tell me how disgusting I was, or even laugh in my face, but instead they each gave me a hug. I remember one girl hugging me and telling me, "It's okay we all are nervous." I looked at my teacher, whom I found smiling and nodding at me, letting me know it’s okay. 

Later on that day, my mom had asked how my first day of school, and I had explained what had happen. She gave me a hug and reassured me that my school days would only get better. With her kind words I knew my days at school would only get better, and they did.

Looking back now, I think I would had never gotten over that day if my teacher, and fellow classmates had not responded the way they did. Throughout the time we spent as a class we became a family and nothing was never embarrassing for us to share with one another, and most of it had to do with our teacher. She told us there's no such thing as an embarrassing moment, and as I grew up, I continued to think that way.