Sisters of Saint Joseph Restore Little Italy

The Playlist of Me

In my communications class, I was told that I had to make a playlist of me using five songs that was relevant to my life. This was so hard to do.  Only five songs relevant to my life! It took me two hours to find songs that I thought were the “best” at describing my life. Next we had to write a narrative and record our voices that would have our five songs of choice playing underneath. In order to do this we had to use sound forge which was something that I had never used before. I thought it was interesting seeing my sound waves after my voice and music was uploaded. Blending these two was also difficult because I had to make sure that my voice was loud enough and could be heard over the music and also had to make sure the music wasn’t too loud under my voice. While trying to make my sound wave as smooth as possible, I learned how to fade in and out.  After doing this I was then able to choose where I wanted certain songs to play and what parts of the songs I wanted to use for emphasis to my narrative. Overall this assignment was a great experience and turned out successful for me.

Flash Back: essay from senior yr but, still significant today

Butterflies tell a story. Starting out as caterpillars they have long soft bodies that can grow rapidly. Some have the ability to inflate parts of their head to appear snake-like. With their bendable, unbreakable bodies they graciously move inch by inch in search for food. They are voracious feeders. They are called “eating machines,“ eating plentiful amounts of leaves. They are multicolored with hair-like structures covering them, Most caterpillars are nocturnal and only feed at night; during the day, they hide at the base of plants. They wander in the quest of suitable pupation sites which is often found underside a leaf. Larva transform into a chrysalis anchoring itself, incapable of movement. It sits and waits. Butterfly! Emerging from its pupa stage, it cannot fly until wings are unfolded. Patiently awaiting the transformation of the miniature wings to bright colored, diverse, erratic patterns and magical flight devices, conveying patience, strength, beauty and the power of transformation, this magical creature takes flight.

The life of a caterpillar reflects my life because it conveys strength, beauty and growth in personality. As the caterpillar wraps its body in a cocoon, it prepares for the most important transformation of its life. It uses strength to transform its ordinary nonexistent body into beautiful erratic flight devices. My life too was just ordinary. I often sheltered myself from people and was soft spoken and shy. I was never outgoing and hated expressing my ideas and thoughts. Trapped by nerves and disappointments, I only did what was necessary or the bare minimum of what I had to do. While in middle school, we learned about oxymorons. In class, to help prepare for our test, our teacher had a game planned for us. She split us into two teams. While we were playing the game, a trivia question was given and everybody was struggling. Everybody but me. I knew the answer, but was afraid to say it. Finally, one of my team mates attempted to answer but was thinking the wrong answer. Deep down inside, I wanted to stop her, but I didn’t; she shouted out an answer and was wrong. Immediately after, the other team screamed the right answer. We lost. I just sank down in my chair! Like the caterpillar, I was nonexistent, just seen as nothing more than prey. My talents remained hidden and potential left unseen. Striving for excitement and change, I decided to make my cocoon : I started joining clubs, made plenty of friends, sang in a talent show with my new best friend, and the most significant, I discovered my passion for broadcast journalism and attended University of Maryland, where I let my potential seep through the walls.

One evening I received a flyer from The University of Maryland about the Young Scholars Program. This program allowed me to pick a course to take for three weeks, stay on campus and receive three college credits. I looked through the courses, saw communication and smiled.

For the first week of my class we had to critique and do a critical review on an ad of our choice - I received a B. For the second week we had to create a product and make up an ad for our product - I received a B again. The third week was where my potential was tested. During the third week we learned all about public presentations: debates, speeches and media presentations. This was preparation for our big assignment and final project. We had to give a public speech! The topic was how communication has changed since the 21rst century? It was going to be seen by parents, professors and other guests. I was so nervous and scared. I loved being in front of a camera but not in front of an audience. Like the caterpillar, I too prepared my self for the most important transformation of my life.

Palms sweaty and teeth clenched together, I anxiously awaited my turn. When I heard my name my heart sank as I walked to the podium. I began. That shy little girl began to immerge with personality and confidence. I used hand gestures and made eye contact with my audience. After I finished, I heard loud applauses and comments from my professors saying, “ You were so good, I can’t believe you were nervous and I can’t believe it was your first time giving a speech.” For the first time ever, I felt like I had truly accomplished something. 

Spiraling graciously out of my cocoon, I grew beautiful wings. I now know what I want to do in my life, I have wonderful friends, and my goofy, kind personality is glowing. I found myself! The little person who was dying to come out is free-free to fly to every opportunity that I see.

The life of a caterpillar reflects mine as it conveys strength, beauty and growth in personality. No matter how hard or how tough life is, I will not forget who I am. I will no longer be afraid to let the real me show. My strength, beauty, and personality will forever stick to me like a newborn to its mother. Never looking back, I will fly to my goals and once they are completed ,I will make new ones for myself. Just like the caterpillar transforms itself  into a beautiful butterfly, I will continue to transform myself into a strong, beautiful woman with personality, soaring high in the sky as a beautiful butterfly!