Memoirs - Course 3 - Week 4

Write roughly a page (200-300 words) of narrative that’s meant to be read aloud. It can be about absolutely anything, any true-life scene from your experience that may (or may not) be included in a final memoir or essay you write, but it should be confined to one specific scene. Use onomatopoeia, alliteration, repetition, rhythmic effects, made-up words or names, dialect - any kind of sound-effect you like - but NOT rhyme or meter. Prior to submitting, have the scene read aloud to you by someone else.

Do not steal for the owner.

I really want to talk about this. I got my first internship. The boss, my direct boss, was Ambrosio. Ambrosio warned me of everything, everything. I loved the guy. Rest in peace. COVID took him.

Ambrosio told me about a company where he worked. Called Ramirez group. An automotive manufacturer company.

Small hardware stores went to Grupo Ramirez and made proposals of being a provider. The hardware store would give credit and would give gloves, boots, hammers, etc. All needed it for the factory workers and the working line. The purchasing department boss, when a new provider offered something, used to say “yes” at the moment. Small business owners felt amazing; they had a giant client that required 100 pairs of boots, 100 hammers, etc.

The trick is that this big company did not pay, and Mister Ricardo, boss of the purchasing department, liked to close deals with small business owners. Then the company wouldn’t pay, and the small business would go into bankruptcy. Piece of shit he was.

This practice was among all companies, if they fired you if you quit, etc. They were stealing from their peers and people with dreams, but they were still stealing for the boss. The utility went for the boss. All those savings were for the boss.

Mister Ricardo was then fired; he did not have any proper skills, and many people in the industry of procurement departments hated his guts. You know what happened, right?

For years, Mister Ricardo went to Ramirez group begging for money. They actually paid him all, like 80% of what they owed him, but it took him 5 years and constant lawsuits, supplicating them, and a lot of coming and going.

Memoirs -Course 3 - Week 3

For this assignment, I want you to write about safety. Most of the narrative - in total, 750 words or so - should focus on the first time you were aware of feeling afraid. Pay attention to the details as we've discussed throughout so far. The piece should conclude with a depiction of how you make yourself feel safe, again with consideration paid to the detail.

As I boarded the elevated subway in Monterrey, Mexico, I was on my way to high school. I typically took the connection between Line 1 and Line 2, usually around 10:30 AM. This time was ideal, as the peak hour had passed, and the heat wasn't as intense as it would be later in the day. My journey involved six stops before reaching my destination. After leaving the subway, I would wait for the school bus."

"The subway ride usually took about 12 minutes, with approximately 2 minutes per station. However, on this particular day, the atmosphere was different. Many of my classmates were openly discussing their atheism, boasting about how intellectually superior they were to those who believed in religious concepts like Jesus Christ. This was a common occurrence at my school, which was known for its English-language curriculum and selective admissions process. I had been awarded a scholarship to attend the school, having been chosen from among the less affluent students in the state."

"Returning to the main point, I was wearing a crucifix around my neck. This was a stark contrast to the attitudes of my classmates. While they dismissed religion, I openly displayed my faith. I believe that neither side was entirely correct."

"As I rode the subway, wearing my uniform and carrying my backpack, I was standing near the door in the middle of the car. I was only a few stops away from my destination when something extraordinary happened. I was 15 years old at the time. The train stopped at the Edison station, and as the doors closed, I experienced a sensation that I can't quite describe."

"It was like a severe case of sleep paralysis. I was frozen, terrified, and overwhelmed by a sense of evil. The feeling lasted for what seemed like an eternity, although it was probably only a few seconds. I was unable to move or speak. It was as if my body was paralyzed, and my mind was filled with fear."

"I know it sounds strange, but I felt a deep-seated knowledge within me—a sense of love, safety, and evil. In that moment, I understood what evil felt like. After the feeling subsided, I tried to figure out what had caused it. I looked around the subway car, searching for anyone who might have emitted such a negative energy. But everyone seemed normal, going about their day."

"I wasn't sure how to regain my sense of safety. I tried to rationalize the experience, asking myself questions like 'Where am I?' 'What am I doing?' 'Why am I doing this?' and 'Where am I going?' By focusing on these questions, I gradually began to feel more secure. If that hadn't worked, I would have disconnected my mind and body and become a human shell. It works sometimes. It is a coping mechanism.

Memoirs - Course 3 - week 2

For this assignment, you will actually write four short pieces. In each, you should consider what you want to write about, then set a timer for exactly three minutes and begin. When the timer goes off, finish your sentence and stop, even if the overall thought is incomplete. Then repeat for the next topic. You will submit all four pieces at once, unedited. Then you should write a short reflection piece - 250 words or so - discussing how you thought about each item. For example, was one more difficult than the rest? Easier? Why?

The topics are:

1. A memory of breakfast - today's or any other

2. A quarrel with someone you care about

3. An item of clothing you loved

4. A major community event that you didn't attend

A memory of breakfast - today's or any other 

My family and I were at a very nice restaurant in the richest part of our state. We were having an amazing breakfast. I really like to take Mom, Mayra, and the baby to these fancy places. It is something that I really enjoy on my own and to take my family out of the ordinary.

Mom asked for some chilaquiles, Mayra the same, and I for some Benedict eggs. The baby was on his bad behavior as always, but he needs to get used to being taken to different restaurants. As it is something that is going to happen throughout his life.

This was the last time I took them there. While the food and service were good, it seems that my family does not feel so comfortable in this type of breakfast place. The place was all in black and wood, it had oil paintings, and the waiters were all wearing a formal uniform.

A quarrel with someone you care about

Talking regarding my dad. My dream about getting rich. Silly dreams. Right? He is always in this divergent position. Where he wants to teach me to generate money and be a better leader but is afraid to make bad mistakes.

He is afraid that I ended up doing money laundering or any type of white-collar crime. I reply to him: “Do you think that I am dumb enough to steal a convenience store?”

“No, but I am afraid that you will sell land that is not yours and make a Ponzi scheme.

On my interior, I felt very proud. Dad at least sees me as able to be a maniac white-collar criminal. It means that he trusts in me to be a creative man.

An item of clothing you loved

I really love my new shorts. I had worked so hard to be able to buy this type of clothing. I went to a very expensive store in Mexico. In this store, they sell Ralph Lauren, the Ralph Lauren brand. The original and expensive one. The shorts were 100 bucks each. I bought two of them.

I know that I need to invest in my image because I go to the office, and my peers and managers are that kind of snobby people.

I am able to buy this type of stuff. As a teen mom, I was unable to do anything, and my dad and his depression were a landmark on my life.

A major community event that you didn't attend

On my country, the music based on accordion is something very special. There was a man called Celso Piña. He was known worldwide as the master of the accordion. He unfortunately died very young. He did not take care of his health and came from a very common place. Poverty and domestic violence. While he was actually a good guy, he did not have the proper skills or perspective to take care of himself.

After his death, the whole state made a free massive concert in memory of the fallen hero, the poor and complicated who reached the highest level of success. The event was amazing. But depression and anxiety at that moment of my life stopped me from attending such an amazing event.

After I got married, I understood that I cannot let my beautiful wife be affected by my own sadness. I need to provide her with a great life experience, so now, even against my own laziness or controversial feelings, I stand up and enjoy the most of life. And you know what?

I am a lot happier now.

Reflection

Each item was difficult to write. Talking about my own life and talking about my parents it is difficult. I mix a lot the need of therapy with the feeling of writing. I am not sure where the line starts or where the line stops. While I wrote the four scenarios, I saw how depression and insecurities have overcome my own existence many times, also I am really happy now and how my life has changed. Desi toxication, being away of my parents, trying to be a better dad and husband to my wife. 

A main realization and my own message are several steps. 1 Being able to recognize an inherit hurt or ache. This part is difficult. 2 Realize that it is possible change. 3 Make the actual change. Putting on the awkward position to be free of those terrible chains