In this blog post I will be taking you through a Wizard-of-Oz journey through my Narrative Project. In the following videos Wizard of Oz: If I Only Had The Brain, Heart, Nerve Wizard of Oz: Meeting the Wizard Wizard of Oz: You've Always Had the Power I was able to relate my narrative scene to the videos by going back in time and capturing important moments in the past where I had to take life changing decisions that have an effect on my life to this day.
How does your narrative allow you to travel into your brain (mind) then and now? My narrative scene allows me to travel back in time to a point in my life where the decisions I took is the reason I am here right now. It brings me back to a time where I was lost and had to find my own pathway. I did not know if my choices were going to result in a negative or positive output. However, I indeed learned from the decisions I took and will have experience in future cases to make the best decisions for myself. How does your narrative allow you to explore your heart (emotions) about the event then and now? My narrative allows me to explore my emotions due to the fact that it has an extreme effect on my future in the long run. It makes me realize how much of an impact it truly had on future, today. In the past, during the event, I was completely lost. I didn’t have a clue on where my decisions would take me. However, today I am capable of looking at how far I have came and how much your actions affect your future. How does your narrative meet the nerve (high-stakes) element of meaningful storytelling? I think my narrative storytelling is meaningful to me and others because of what it represents. Almost all readers are able to relate to my decisions in some way or another as they, at one point, had to make the same decisions. How does your narrative enable you to re-examine the power (agency) you have in authoring your life-story? My narrative scene enables me to re-examine the power I have in authoring my life-story by being honest and relatable to by the reader. It is meaningful to me to have people read about my life changing story and how I am here where I am today. What shapes our sense of identity: Life events or the stories we tell ourselves about life events? I believe our sense of identity is mainly shaped by our life decisions/actions that we take everyday. We each have our own point of view of certain events. Having a different people tell the same story shows the different perspectives and point of views from each side.
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Hills Like White Elephants (Ernest Hemingway) relates to my narrative scene because of the importance behind the choices we make due to the impact it has on our future permanently. In the story, Jig, has to make an important choice between keeping her baby or having an abortion. In contrast, I had to make a decision on picking my major for my future career. My family and I were eating dinner when my mom opened a conversation with me on choosing a certain career field before entering college. “Mustafa, have you thought about what you want to major in yet?” Mom asked. “I have been thinking for a long time, but I can’t seem to come across anything I’m really interested in.” I replied “You have to make a decision soon so you can save yourself some time and money” She emphasized I nodded my head agreeing with her “Right, I don’t want to take classes that won’t count towards my major” My older sister adding on from experience “Pick your major from now and stick with it, don’t waste your time like I did” I added “I haven’t decided on a major yet but I know for sure I want to go to Delaware County Community College for two years first and save some money then transfer” “Well, what subjects do you have somewhat of an interest in?” Dad asked I stared down at my plate for a few seconds “I like physics and biology and a little of math” “Have you thought about engineering or something in the science field?” He replied “I have but I don’t want to spend all my twenties stuck in college while my other friends are out living life” I knew my parents were going to get frustrated before the words even came out of my mouth. However, it was truly what was going through my head. I did not want to attend school for six years if not more to get an education. My mom quickly responded “Don’t compare yourself to your friends, you each have different goals and visions in life. We left everything we had to give you and your sister a better opportunity ” “If you like science and math like you said, then your six years in college will go by quick” Dad added My sister jumps in and says “My friend is in the science field studying pharmacy. I could get her to talk to you if you want to ask some questions” I nodded my head and said “Yes, I’ll call her tomorrow so I have some time to think of questions” After a long conversation on the phone with my sister’s friend, I finally decided on a major. I thought deeply into my future and goals I wanted to accomplish. I also thought about the past. My parents left their country, family and jobs to secure a better future for my sister and I. I wanted to pay them back and make them proud with as much as I could. I informed my parents with the decision I took on majoring in the science field to later on become a pharmacist. They were happy with my decision and most importantly so was I and that's what mattered to them the most. In this blog assignment, I will be using the 5 senses that are similar to the ones used in “My Name is Margaret (Maya Angelou)” to compose an emotional scene. I was 17 years old, a junior in high school on the varsity soccer team. Standing in the middle of the field in a playoff game as the clock runs down to carry on to extra time. My body was very fatigue after the first original ninety minutes of the game. I tied my cleats, fixed my shin guards, and looked to find my parents in the stands for some support as the referee's whistle blew to signal the start of the first extra time quarter. I took a deep breath and pushed my body to do the jobs my coach assigned me. In an extra time game, first team to score a goal wins. At this point, every player’s head was filled with complete fear including mine. Each player knew, every mistake at this point of the game is lethal. No one wanted to be the cause of their team’s loss. We had a big advantage on our opponent because it was a home game. Our stands were overfilled with students and parents cheering us on, we didn’t want to let them down. The game became very aggressive, tensions quickly rose, and many fouls were conceded. The referee had a very difficult time taking control of the game. I fought a very hard battle mentally and physically. Mentally, I knew I had to overcome my fears. Physically overcoming the opponent to win balls and take control of the game. As the clock ran down and the first quarter ended, there were many chances for both teams to score a goal but none were taken advantage of. Every dangerous attack on us made my heart beat out of its chest, it was very nerve racking. Before the whistle blew to signal the start of the final quarter my coach whispered in my ear “This is all you, score and carry your team forward” I ran on the field with the energy and stamina I had at the very beginning of the game, his words restored what I was missing. The game’s physicality is at an all time high. The referee began to warn and card many players in hopes of regaining control of the game. As every minute on the clock ticks the game gets more and more intense. At the very end of the last quarter, with a tie score of 1-1 and 2 minutes left on the clock, I took the ball and dribbled up the field passing by two players, and out of nowhere a player fouls me with a tackle from the side, his cleats going first in my leg. Everyone in the stands and on the sideline stood up in shock. I immediately fell to the ground and held my leg from the the pain. I laid down on the field for a few seconds with my eyes closed thinking this was the last barrier I had to overcome to lead my team to a win. The referee pointed to a penalty kick, and the crowd went crazy. I took the ball and placed it down, as I began to back up, each step I took it became quieter and quieter, and finally complete silence. I made eye contact with the goalie for a few seconds and looked back down at the ball, I can tell he was scared. I picked where I wanted to place the ball and waited for the referee’s whistle. In complete silence, the whistle seemed very loud, I ran up to the ball and placed it on the left side of the goalkeeper with all the power I can generate with my hurting leg to win the game for my team. I never thought that game would come to an end. I was very happy with my performance on the field to make my family, team, coaches, and school proud. Both teams played very well and presented great sportsmanlike conduct as we shook hands and congratulated each other on a great game. |
AuthorMustafa Al-Qaraghuli “Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”
- Louis L'Amour Archives
May 2019
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