She also lines the book with interesting topics such as disclosure, how teachers treated them, and social life as a kid, as well as an adult. For most of Gina and her interviewee’s school careers, they were one of, if not the only deaf or hard of hearing students in their school. Although Gina was not born hard of hearing, it was not until kindergarten that she realized that she was “different,” from the rest of the children in her class. The class was playing a game where they close their eyes and when they hear the piano start to play the get up and walk in a circle. They closed their eyes but when the piano started playing she did not get up.
“Music Lessons” tells about the accidental life lessons Vowell learns while being in marching band. The quote from her book, “…but somehow I was supposed to lift a baritone horn that measured twice my body weight, blow into it while reading microscopic sheet music…” (26) shows just how much Vowell enjoyed being in marching band but she stayed with it for as long as she could. Later in the essay Vowell explains that in eighth grade she switches from the baritone horn to the trumpet, which is cut short because of the shape of her jaw (30). In an interview with Robert Birnbaum of Identity Theory “I trained as a musician growing up, and I think a lot about sound.” This quote just puts together how much Vowell enjoys music even though she is not skilled in music or musically talented. But not being musically talented does not mean that you cannot write or talk about it.
I was the only child, so it was fairly quiet around the house. I would come home and sit on the couch and do my homework as my mom occasionally came around to see how I was doing. Whenever I slacked off, she made sure that I got back on the right track and got each part of my work done for school in the morning. Sometimes I would wait until the last minute to do projects for classes. I mainly pushed them off because elementary teachers always wanted some kind of colorful and creative diorama or drawing.
Jing-Mei finally told her mom her honest truth about her playing the piano. While Jing-Mei’s mom was forcing Jing-Mei to play the piano she said, “Why don’t you like who I am? I’m not a genius! I can’t play the piano.” (Tan 35). Jing-Mei was honest because she knew she couldn’t play, but she still tried.
An example would be an individual who over thought to much about feeling worthless and counselling thought it would help them. The councillor will continuously compliment the patient and uplift them with the things they say slowly giving them back their self-esteem and self-image. The approach can be used within a care home to ensure that a service user feels appreciated. A service user called Samantha lives in a care home and likes the staff to meet her needs. Her primary carer knows not to call her Sam and she prefers to be called Samantha, she is quite a quiet person and doesn’t like doing new things until her carer made her observe a knitting class, Samantha enjoyed it so much she decided to part-take, she won’t a certificate for the best knit blanket and she felt accomplished, this was her reward.
The narrator describes at length the things that Jing-Mei’s mother believes she can do. One of the best examples is when she wants Jing-Mei to learn to play the piano. The narrator describes how Jing-Mei doesn’t take the lessons seriously because her instructor is deaf. She does not want to show that she is actually talented. Her mother brags to her Aunt Lindo about how good Jing-Mei is at playing the piano.
I try to study in between my classes during my two hour breaks on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays so I don’t fall behind in my schoolwork. Lastly for this section, I plan on changing up my study habits. In grade school all the way up until senior year of high school, I made it a habit to study and do homework in front of my television. Now, that will not happen. I am only going to study and do homework while sitting in silence or while listening to instrumental music.
The plot revolves around them and what happens to them. I believe that a story without characters is like the earth without humans; it would be incomplete! I don't think it's necessary to like the character, but more so important to at least be able to identify with the character. An interesting character should have at least one flaw or weakness, perfect characters don't draw in my attention as well. In the short story "The Yellow Wallpaper", the author, Charlotte Perkins, does an excellent job of painting a picture of the main character.
Before I came to America, I really concerned about my academic studies. I want to be an excellent student like when I was in China. But I do not have confidence in my English ability. “I cannot compete with American students because their first language is English,” I said to my friends when we talked about my “exciting” life after I go to America. Some friends reduced my pressure by their understanding about American students; “All they like to do is join in the party; you will never see them studying in the library more than three hours.
I also love getting lost in the brushstrokes with the aid of my music. However the best part about painting is the overall sense of pride I feel when I finish a painting. It’s the same feeling I get when I score the winning goal or get an A on a quiz. These “hobbies” of mine have become my way of releasing my