This one is dedicated to my BFF who told me to do exactly what I want to do. So, I gave birth to this short essay. December 24, 2017: Christmas Eve Morning The last time I spent Christmas in Hawaii, I was 12 years old. My family and I lived in Kailua with my aunt … Continue reading Sunrise on a Christmas Eve
The first time I wrote about my dad it was about the events that unfolded when he had a stroke. I wrote from my perspective as his eldest daughter coming into to his aid at a life altering moment in his life. I believe I will always have this perspective since this is my role in … Continue reading In Defense of Fatherhood
Dear Chloe, Before you were born, I was going through a metamorphosis with my identity. My life was centered on roles of being the maternal provider for our family. I became the wife, the mom, the dinner provider, the cheerleader for your Dad and older brothers. But, that began to change. I still kept … Continue reading A Letter To My Daughter On Her First Rally Demonstration.
I was 15 years old when I gave birth to my first child, a son. He was born in 1989, and there was a phenomenon that was happening to teenage girls in the late 80s. I had known 2-3 girls who were pregnant right along with me. I realized that the numbers were far greater … Continue reading Confession of an Ex-Teenage Mom
Note: This essay was written in 2010 and centers on an event that brings forth different personas from who I am as a person. The Mother: October 28th, 2002—two days before the 29th birthday and 36 weeks 4 more to go to preserve the body growing within my own. Was it enough to make sure … Continue reading The Accidental Personas
I finally decided to watch the movie "A Collateral Beauty" which starred a cast of talented, and amazing actors/actresses (Kate Winslet, Keira Knightley, Helen Mirren--c'mon!). Not to worry--I won't spoil the movie for you. I have my own version of understanding exactly what a "Collateral Beauty" means. When I think of the word "collateral," I … Continue reading The Collateral Beauty
Nowhere. Somewhere begins nowhere. It is nowhere that we find ourselves asking where to go next? Where to go from here? Our lives depend on where we are at the exact moment in time and it is where we define ourselves. My nowhere is here. At a pinnacle in my life that I find often … Continue reading Beginning.
There have been articles written throughout the years how the death of the oral tradition has been linked to the death of a cultural identity. In Alaska, there have been movements to preserve many of the Alaskan native languages. We have museums that archive and preserve recordings of our Alaskan elders--some have long ago … Continue reading The Evolution of Oral Tradition
For "A Reason For Being"... Let me begin by stating that thesis defenses for a Master in Fine Arts is no joke. I am still in a blank space attempting to comprehend all the little bits and pieces of the defense. There were questions left, and right by my committee members--and they were unbelievably amazing--because … Continue reading The Thesis Defense..
The Echo Muse 