Jaymus Choi/Staff Reporter
In “Amanda Gao – From Nothing To Everything” by Lucia Chen, it featured an interview on Amanda Gao, Chen’s mother’s best friend, about an earthquake during in which she was unfortunately in that destroyed everything she owned. But due to her perseverance, she was about to recover from her tragedy and made her way to the very top.
Chen’s blog post is a well-crafted and descriptive piece that creates great storytelling. There are many attributes to her article which made the overall viewing and story telling experience enjoyable. To start with, she has included an amazing transition between the connection of her and Gao to the interview.
In her last sentence before the start of the story, “Despite the fact that she achieved many accomplishments, she has gone through a lot of hardships, and Amanda has always lived a wonderful childhood until that day.” It gives the impression of, looking at an unbroken piece of passage that connects one idea to another, while consciously knowing that the story is going to start. This is something that I will keep in mind of the next time I write essays or blog posts, as I tend to not implement transitions from idea to idea, but rather I would go straight to the point.
In addition, one thing that could be a great addition to my interview is my connection between me and my father. Chen not only talked about the simple connection between her and Gao as an aunt, she also talked about what Gao is to her on a deeper level, as a mentor and an inspiration for her to be in the world of business. I perhaps could have written something related to my father on a deeper level, instead of simply introducing him as my father and his career.
Lastly, I appreciate the fact that Chen added a small informational paragraph on the earthquake that has changed her aunt’s life. In which, she included data and an embedded link about the incident. Using my interview as an example, I could’ve elaborated on the building in which my dad worked in, as it can further emphasize on how serious the situation was.
In “The Importance Of Continuing To Learn And Act” by Meiku Yano, she talks about her grandfather, Mineo Kushiro, highlighting his background as a farmer and banker, as well as his present life as a retired individual who pursues further education and returns as a farmer.
There are several aspects that I would like to commend in Yano’s blog post, including the insightful use of visuals, the deep and meaningful storytelling of her grandfather’s life, and a reflective conclusion that creates a deeper connection with her grandfather’s journey.
One of the most eye-catching features of her blog post is the incorporation of many images that illustrates the stories that she is trying to tell about her grandfather. The images showcasing the plants that her grandfather grows, and intriguing pictures of his retired life, it brings alive the blog post and immerses the readers in to what Kushiro experienced throughout his life.
Moving on, the article not only gets us to know more about Kushiro, but also tells us valuable life lessons that readers can learn from and reflect upon. The main theme of continuous learning, is shown by her grandfather’s lifelong commitment to acquiring knowledge and skills. Whether through his farming experiences or his return to education after retirement, it serves as a reminder that self-improvement and the pursuit of personal interests can make your life more fulfilling and interesting.
Finally, a notable addition to my personal interview would be a deep, and meaningful conclusion, similar to what Yano has at the end of her grandfather’s story. She shares a personal memory of helping her grandfather pack figs in her childhood, and expressed her admiration for his grandfather’s dedication to learning and personal growth. It also serves as an inspiration for her to follow in his footsteps, emphasizing the impact of his life on hers.
In “The Experience Of Being A Romanian Immigrant” by Cassia Enick, it features the life story of her mother, Oana Enick. Born in Romania under harsh communist regimes, her parents were under political complications, enduring imprisonment. Upon their release, they managed to escape from Romania and started a new life in Canada along with Oana, where they gained refugee status. Through their strong resilience, they managed to adapt to the new language and culture. Oana was able to excel academically, obtaining degrees in microbiology and toxicology, reaching her dream to become a scientist.
Oana’s life story is an inspiring example of resilience and adhering to one’s core values. She grew up in a rough environment with her parents strongly opposed to the communistic regimes, standing by their words, they chose imprisonment rather than joining their opposition. Their decision to seek refuge in Canada marked a significant change, yet their determination and adaptability allowed them to reach their full potential and pursue their dreams. Oana’s journey serves as a reminder that even when life doesn’t go the way you want it to be, staying true to one’s beliefs and pushing through obstacles through resiliency can ultimately lead to your desired path.
Oana’s introduction to the article is admirable and is a learning experience for myself along as others. It captures the reader’s attention by visualizing the inhumane regimes of communist Romania, setting the stage for the rest of the narrative. A strong introduction can lead to curiosity and encourages readers to dig deeper into the story. My introduction could use some work, as it only consists of a quote from my father related to his experience from the robbery.
Finally, Oana’s ability to convey a dark and gloomy tone in her story is genuinely impressive. Unlike my usual approach when I write personal narratives or various sorts of essays, I often ignore the use of tone. In her example, her use of tone immerses the reader into the oppressiveness of communist Romania, enabling them to empathize with the hardships faced by her family. The tone is especially apparent in the heart of her narrative, “They both spent the next two years in a harsh prison camp. Oana recalls them very rarely speaking of this period of their lives.” (pull quote this) This sentence towards the end of her paragraph intensifies the atmosphere around her mother’s parents dark times.
Source:
Amanda Gao – From Nothing To Everything +feature image
The Importance Of Continuing To Learn And Act +feature image
The Experience Of Being A Romanian Immigrant +feature image