• Prologue Assignment
    The title I have written here, “Narrative Writing Portfolio: Specific Assignments” is merely an introduction as to who I am and how I see myself as an individual. First off world, my name is Mary Elizabeth Vargas. I am 16 ½ years old and have been told by my mom Elizabeth, that I have a wonderful way with words. I am always nervous when speaking in front of an audience, so my mom says the most positive and effective side of me is through writing. This personal narrative writing assignment is a brief ( or thorough depends on how you look at it) glimpse on who I really am.
    I love to live life in the best way possible. When previewing the choice of assignments I have, I immediately went for the easy not-to -difficult assignments then noticed that I should read through them all before deciding on which ones I choose.
    So I did exactly that and came up with a great assortment of assignments to work on. They each relate to a part of who I am. We were all assigned to work on a portfolio expressing ourselves and who we are through writing. I may not be a superb writer (I really should ask someone to review my writing) but I am a fantastic reader.
    Reading is my passion. Ever since I learned how to read when I was eight years old, life changed a bit for me. Whenever I had some problems, if writing couldn't seem to make them fade for the time being, reading sure did. I read and the world around me somewhat disappears. Fully aware of my surroundings my imagination is off inside the book, I manage to see what the story unfolds.
    When I truly have nothing “of importance” to work on, I start doodling. This all happens throughout school where a random person notices my bizarre drawings, and says, “Is that a banana?” Where I mutter and sound somewhat defensive, “No it is supposed to be a boat.” As you can tell drawing isn't my forte. Reading and writing is who I am. Almost like an art.

    A Letter Of Introduction
    Dear Reader,
    My name is Mary. I live here in San Antonio, Texas. I am 16 ½ years old and am a junior at Alamo Heights High School, and am an average student. I don't get straight A's as much as I'd like to say. I was born in Austin, Texas on May 1, 1995, and moved down here with my mom when I was 2. Getting older each year, I manage to learn a new lesson about many of life's lessons.
    The first life lesson happened when I was quite young and couldn't quite wrap my mind around one of my relatives deaths. I understood she wouldn't come back anymore, I just couldn't figure out why. When my mom explained it to me it helped a bit. However, it wasn't until later did I understand and my questions were answered.
    The second began when my brother Nicholas Alexander Solis was born I was just in the fifth grade. From the moment I saw first saw him I knew life would never be the same. I was right. I was blessed with a adorable, sweet, bug-eyed little brat who soon came to cry and had the worst diapers that God made. He is five now and is in kindergarten at Howard Early Childhood Center. He is my one true person who I love with all my heart and annoys me oh so much.
    The third came into effect when I entered high school and realized at once just how much everyone around me had changed. All those kids that I knew since Pre-K were suddenly replaced by these tall and some short kids who I didn't really recognize. Everyone was changing themselves into someone they weren't. Others managed to change their appearance yet still remained true to themselves. It wasn't until later did I accept everyone for as they were. I felt that maybe I was judging the students at first, and made up my mind to still be kind to everyone that I spoke to.
    That is a small snippet of “my life.”

    Likes/Dislikes List
    To read it helps let me escape from the world. - Likes
    Annoying or rude people. - Dislikes
    Quiet places, yet at the same time loud noises. - Likes
    Struggling with Math. - Dislikes
    To be free, fun-loving, and relaxed with everyone and everything. - Likes
    Being put down, or being brought to attention of my faults. - Dislikes
    Dancing in the rain like a fool, even when people are watching. - Likes
    The constant hot weather that surrounds this area. - Dislikes
    Writing everything down no matter what it is. It's my outlet aside from reading. - Likes
    Being alone. - Dislikes
    To improve myself completely one step at a time. - Likes
    Having trouble understanding something important. - Dislikes
    Eating food. Every kind of food known to man. Especially lamb that's kind of good. - Likes
    Being easily confused. - Dislikes
    To go to sleep and wake up well rested. - Likes
    Being called “morbid” or the “quiet girl.” - Dislikes
    Keeping friends and family happy. - Likes
    People cursing or yelling all at once. - Dislikes
    To spell and create puzzles it keeps me at peace. Especially when I'm bored. - Likes
    People getting me confused, it causes unneeded facial expressions. - Dislikes
    Hanging out with friends when I have free time. - Likes
    Slipping into a “Food Coma” after eating at Thanksgiving. - Dislikes
    Likes to paint and create my own art. - Likes
    Not being fully committed to something. - Dislikes
    Thinking about the most random unknown questions that no one has the answers to. - Likes
    Individuals looking down at “outcasts” or “special people.” - Dislikes
    Wearing jewelry and getting all dressed up from time to time. - Likes
    Feeling low so low that there is no way to possibly get back up. - Dislikes
    The weather when it gets cold, at least for Texans. - Likes
    The color yellow, way to cheerful. - Dislikes

    Color Your World
    When God made the world He said,
    “I shall create the sky a separate color from the night.”
    It was then that he declared the color “sky blue,” would be the sky's color.
    When something good was happening the sky would stay as it was.
    However when the weather started turning bad, the sky turned a dark grey even black, letting down an array of different drops depending on the season.
    He then decided close to night, the sky would turn a peach pink with an assortment of red, and orange mixed in between. The more the sun went away, the more the sky would turn dark until the clouds would clear and leave behind a cluster or stars millions of miles away surrounded by a dark midnight blue.
    God then said,
    “Whenever the rain comes storming down upon the people of this Earth,
    it shall clear. In it's place will be theses seven colors in the form of a rainbow:
    Red to represent the day I started creating the Earth,
    Orange to represent the long hours of the second day, I labored,
    Yellow to represent the time it took to create the animals on my third day,
    Green to represent the fourth day with lovely vegetation beginning to grow on the land,
    Blue to represent the fifth day where I made lovely waters and sky upon the world,
    Indigo to represent the sixth day and the glorious wonder of the night sky,
    and lastly Violet to represent the colors all shined as one on my seventh day where I rested.”
    Roy G. Biv

    The Ultimate All-Purpose Excuse
    On my way from Mrs. Culp's Multimedia room to my lovely English class, I happened to come to a sudden stop, when my friend Alan Galloway grabbed me from behind and forcefully no matter how many times I objected, declared we were skipping school. His reason of course was a good one: School was annoying him.
    After bantering with him for a good 2 minutes, I decided, “what the hell I might as well.” “I don't have anything important to work on during Keenan's class I'll be fine, I said to myself.” So I willingly went off with him escaping the brutal chains of this well known school, leaving with me a sense of mischievousness and an troublemaking glint in my eye.
    30 minutes later we were back at school, our hands filled with colossal bags of candy. I quickly said goodbye to Alan, and made my way to English still holding my tower of candy. This task had me surprisingly at ease wondering what my brain could come up with as an excuse.

    Unfinished Sentences
    I usually worry about whether or not I will get good sleep at night which means not waking up at 5:30 in the morning unable to go back to sleep and then having to get ready for the day.
    I feel angry when I am unable to express suppressed anger towards my mom for it “is very disrespectful for you to raise your voice at your mother”, says she.
    I'm moody when I wake up and go throughout my day and I am especially moody when I am feeling really sad about something. I'm moody when I go through a mixture of conflicts or a huge dose of drama.
    I'm happiest when there is a sense of peace surrounding me. When life seems to go by blissfully and everything happens spontaneously, I am super happy.
    I feel confident when I feel that things are going right, or I am doing something correctly. I feel extremely confident when I answer questions about the American Revolution that took place in 1776.
    I feel frustrated when I am unable to explain myself correctly, or am having trouble understanding something that is difficult. I feel frustrated when I am trying to get my point across and am prevented from doing so.
    I feel depressed when something bad happens to a close friend or family member, or when I start to feel low about myself.
    I am comfortable when everyone acts like themselves around me, when everyone is kind and friendly, when I don't feel uncomfortable with my surroundings.
    I feel nervous when I am unprepared for something important that I have to do, when I am going to say something to someone I am nervous as to how they'll react.
    I feel sentimental when I can relate someone's life to my own, when I hear bad language being thrown around by other individuals, and when I watch sad movies.

    A Day In The Life (Names changed to protect identity)
    Mia feels sadness enter her soul as her mother reprimands her once more for not contributing to the household chores. Her mother Eya, shouts while holding her hands on her hips and watches as the steam rises out of her mother's ears, “All you do is your homework, which shouldn't be taking you so long!” Mia is desperate trying her best to explain to her mother that the only reason why she works this hard and neglects the apartment is to get good grades. Her mother just doesn't listen. Eya then brings up Mia being in the JROTC program. “If you can not go to PT (Physical Training) on time at 6:30 am then forget about going out with your friends Friday!” Mia yet again thinks to herself, “I only try hard to get there on time just so I can hang out with my friends.” Eya's birthday was coming up in 6 days, and the only opportunity Mia had to go get her something alone was with her friends on Friday.
    Mia reflects briefly on the time period when she used to live with her father Otis and her stepmother Maline. Mia remembers writing in her journal while listening to the muffled harsh tones of her family arguing.She remembers feeling the tears escape her eyes as they rolled down her face. Cold tears not hot. Silent not noisy. This happened quite frequently in the 5 month period that she lived with them.
    She stops reflecting at once realizing that her mom went to sleep in her room, and her 5 year old brother Neil was back in his room asleep as well. Mia quickly finishes her assignment from English III AP and tackles all the household chores possible before falling asleep into a horrific like-your-really-experiencing-it nightmare. The time says 10 pm this is the last thing her brain registers before succumbing to her weariness.
    Mia wakes up with a start her eyes dart to her alarm clock automatically, it reads 2:45 am. Her heart rate begins to die down and her sudden sleeping state leaves as she stays awake and finishes the remainder of her chores before getting ready for the next morning praying for something good to come.

    Memorable Event
    The remnants of a birthday party was strewn across the floor of my bedroom. The vague pieces of balloon scraps, a handmade paper banner with the colorful words of “Happy Birthday Mary!” were smudged with the footprints of an average sized shoe. “Great I thought to myself, now I have more to clean,” I thought to myself. As I was picking all the pieces up and placing them in a random basket, I came across a tag that said “To: Mary From: Uncle Robert” and I found myself sitting on my bed remembering the day of my 11th birthday.
    I was walking through the door of my apartment with Mom when I immediately noticed the room was dark then as if on cue, the lights came on along with a chorus of “Surprise!”
    “Happy Birthday Mary!” called out my family.
    I was completely taken aback with the pretty lights and the banner hung up. Even more with my Uncle Robert being there, my Dad being able to make it, my cousin Haley, and my Mom who brought them all together.
    “Wow!” I exclaimed unable to say much else.
    “We each colored our own letter for you Mary”, commented Mom grinning.
    “Thank you all so much!” I said.
    The day turned out nicely from what I remember. It was peaceful and quiet the way my birthday was always meant to be. However the majority of them have been elaborate parties with an enormous amount of friends.
    Looking around my room I decided to keep the tag as my own personal memento of the birthday that I will always cherish the most.

    The Examined Life
    Kind - Good Traits
    Lazy - Bad Traits
    Loving - Good Traits
    Procrastinator - Bad Traits
    Caring - Good Traits
    Negligent - Bad Traits
    Respectful - Good Traits
    Depressing - Bad Traits
    Intelligent - Good Traits
    Somewhat obsessive (eesh) - Bad Traits
    Resourceful - Good Traits
    Sometimes rude - Bad Traits
    Strong-willed - Good Traits
    Unmotivated - Bad Traits
    Independent - Good Traits
    Shy - Bad Traits
    Talented - Good Traits
    Un-confident

    Epilogue
    The quiet, thoughtful, and observant individual picks up the short portfolio belonging to a girl by the name of -they squint to see the name- Mary Vargas. The person begins to read the portfolio little by little, taking their time to evaluate each page of written work.
    “This girl has true promise and potential. A few tweaks, a motivational symbol, and she can be someone someday,” they think to themselves.
    There comes a time when reading the page “A Day In The Life,” that they take time to see the situation from the author's point of view. Their eyes glance at the side note: names changed to protect identity. They sympathize briefly with the bright young girl. Moving on to the ending they can't help but notice how somewhat aloof the paper is. Almost as if the author forgot to include a missing piece -a key important piece- to the assignment.
    Then the reader immediately knew what it was: honest true emotion. Wether it be happiness, or sadness the author must have more of it evident on the pages.
    They finish the portfolio before writing out a detailed, helpful, insightful message to the author hoping to encourage her to improve her writing along with her self esteem.
    “That girl will be someone great someday”, they briefly think to themselves.
    Then they put the portfolio back in order and leave it in the empty classroom on a desk. As they leave the room, a wave of energy lurks in the air before disappearing all together with the person as they leave the entranceway.



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