Creativity is key

A writing blog by Lauren Pelkey

[lnpsaints]

Reflection for english 101

Dear Professor Anderson,

In my portfolio you will find the three major writing assignments we were given this semester. The pieces of writing that tested our knowledge and writing skills. The following paper topics were descriptive, narrative, and compare and contrast. The improvements I have made from my senior year of high school to the end of the first semester of college has been staggering.  I have made huge bounds in how I structure my paper as a writer and I believe that is reflected in the works of my portfolio.  The three papers included in here allowed me to grow as a writer and accomplish things I have never been able to on paper. Through the works of my narrative “Climbing Mount Washington” the reader receives insight into the memories and lessons of perseverance I learned from my grandfather. The second story included in this portfolio “Safe Place” is a descriptive paper that lets the reader see my sacred place through a first person point of view.  The last paper included in this portfolio “Field Hockey vs. Lacrosse” is a compare and contrast essay that shows the similarities and differences of the two great sports I have played.  Each paper gave me an outlet to express how I grew as a writer. 

            My first paper “Climbing Mount Washington” is a narrative paper that explains an adventure that I went on with my family. This paper helped me learn how to express feelings and thoughts from this adventure out for all to see. The passion I had for getting the chance with my grandfather. The key to having a good narrative I would say is picking the right topic. I started off this assignment trying to write about love and when it comes to narrative papers you really need to make the reader involved so that they feel a part of your experience. I reevaluated some of my grammatical errors to make the paper more academically structured. Before hand there was a bit of a childish tone, after reevaluating it and editing it a more mature and structured paper is present. It becomes clear to the reader that perseverance and positivity got us through the climb.

            My descriptive essay was about my “Safe Place” I tried to put as much detail into the paper as possible that way the reader would be able to see what was going on in my mind, it was the key part of a descriptive essay. When being specific it makes it easier to comprehend.  I wanted give the reader a sense of tranquility that being in water gave me through descriptive language.  Being in the water gave me a sense of stability, an escape from reality. I tried my best to change the grammatical errors, and comma splices. This has enhanced my paper to be more academically inclined.

            My finale paper included in this portfolio is titled “Field Hockey vs. Lacrosse” which entails a compare and contrast ideal of two sports that dominate eastern athletics. This paper includes the biggest points about these two sports such as, stick styles, fields, rules, and seasons. On one side of the paper was the safe and familiar sport that I came to college for, Field Hockey.  Being a collegiate athlete in this sport gave me the details needed for a well-detailed paper that created a picture through the readers’ eye in a first person account.  Lacrosse was a bit different of an element for me seeing I had never really played it.  Through little descriptive language I was able to get my point across.

            In this course I have been able to understand how to structure a paper correctly, have a better word choice, use less comma splices (none if you can), there are many parts to this course that I was able to take to my advantage. Taking a college English class helps you manage your time in an efficient amount of time because there are times when you are given until the next class, two days, or times when you have over two weeks to complete an assignment. Professor Anderson you have taught me to be wiser with my words, instead of me repeating the same words I would smoothly choose another word with a similar or same meaning. 

[lnpsaints]

"Field Hockey v. Lacrosse" :Compare and Contrast, Final

Lauren Pelkey

Professor Megan Anderson

En 101.08

3 December 2014

Field hockey & Lacrosse

            Field hockey and Lacrosse are both extremely popular sports in the United States and other countries. These sports are very likable to young females because they are extremely competitive and they give you the perfect amount of contact with someone else. There are many similarities with these two sports, and there are always a numerous amount of noticeable differences. There are different types of sticks, and the sports are played in different seasons, and last but not least the rules control the game.

            Field hockey is a complicated sport. The sport is normally started in 3rd grade and goes until however far you want to go (college is the most realistic). Most young girls play on a rec team and if they continue to stay serious about it through middle school they will join a club/travel team. The club team exposes you to more competition and a better skill level, which prepares you for high school. During high school it is recommended to continue in your club team if you’d like to continue playing in high school, it gives you the exposure you need at large showcases where college coaches come and represent themselves. The sport is played in the fall as the regular season, but if you played on a club/travel team you would continue to play indoor in the winter which a completely different game with different sticks and rules. Then you’d continue in the spring and then do camps in the summer so it was known as a year round sport. It is different in college though we are required to have an off-season.

            The rules involved in field hockey are pretty easy to determine and notice, but they are repetitive. In field hockey there are special calls such as strokes this is when the goalie is waiting for the “stroker” take the stroke on the whistle of the referee. There is also an Australian corner where you have 8 seconds to take a one versus one from the 25-yard line. There are many special things about field hockey with our rules. There isn’t much contact allowed but if you nail it in a girl’s leg you won’t get called and if you do it may even be called in your favor. Its pretty wicked being able to nail a ball and hit anyone you want on the other team. Pushing happens, elbowing is known in a game and yes it does get called if It is seem often. We don’t have any positioning rules unlike other sports.

            Field hockey has a variety of sticks; there are many different sizes and styles. The biggest differences between sticks are the materials used to make them. It determines the power and motion on the stick. The different brands, gives us as players a better variety to have an identity on the field. Field Hockey sticks are very solid, some heavy (defensive sticks) others extremely light (Attack/Midfield sticks). The weight in the sticks helps with taking hits or being able to dribble smoothly on your stick. The stick it self is rounded on one side and flat on the other, it has a hook shape on the bottom and it is a thin to thick cylinder leading to the hook of the stick.

            Woman’s Lacrosse is an intricate sport there is so much too it and many rules. The sport itself is played in the spring and lasts for about 4 months, which is the same as the main season for field hockey. Lacrosse competes in tournaments that they like to call “Fall Ball”. Women’s sticks are easily broken in the spring if it is colder weather. The material is meant to be extremely light so it is easier to get a strong throw. The sticks are made out of aluminum for the shaft and a thick plastic for the head; the head is then filled with a lace or stringing of some sort. The rules of the game include off sides and many more no contact rules. Every time the whistle is blown you have to stop where you are. You are allowed to run around the goal, which isn’t allowed in field hockey. There is an 8-meter arc and a 12-meter fan, which provides lines for the players to use as a guideline for, plays.  If there is a foul in the 8-meter arc, you are able to take a free position shot on the 8-meter arc.  These fouls include rules that are implemented for the player’s safety, like shooting space.  This is when the defender gets in the way of the attacker’s shot that would be dangerous for her.  Another safety precaution for the players is the crease circle violation.  The attacking team isn’t allowed to enter the crease because they would be too close to the goalie and it would be dangerous for her.  There are also many rules to keep the aggression of the players in check.  You are not allowed to push the other players too aggressively and when you do check another player’s stick, you have to make sure you are not checking into the “sphere” of the other player.  This means that you are supposed to not come anywhere near the player’s head.

            Some may say that lacrosse takes more energy, or say that some people have to do an enhanced amount of running. This is true but in almost every sport there is an extreme amount of running especially in lacrosse and field hockey. Lacrosse is very known in many more states throughout the country compared to field hockey where it is only popular on the east coast. Lacrosse most girls have to wear cleats just because of all the pivoting they do while they’re playing. Woman’s lacrosse is extremely known for checking fingers because its an easy target to mess the other players up.

            I believe field hockey is the better sport because there are more things to it; it has a better game flow unlike lacrosse where you are constantly stopping. There are many advantages to our field and the amount of time we are given to accomplish a win. With woman’s lacrosse they have more space for their field but also have more boundaries near goal. Field hockey sticks are sturdier, even though they are expensive they last for a respectable 2+ years or they are supposed to. Lacrosse sticks are a little less expensive but have the need to be replaced more often. The overall differences and similarities between field hockey and lacrosse are not allows noticeable, but once pointed out you won’t forget them. 

[lnpsaints]

"Safe Place" :Narrative, Final

Lauren Pelkey

Professor Anderson

En 101.08

1 December 2014

Safe Place

            A safe place to me is the place where you go to not be bothered. The only place where nothing matters, where I can think on my own, and nothing interrupts my train of thought. Safe place, what does that even mean? Is it where you can go to be protected, or is it a place to release stress and to have a clear mind? My safe place can be more than just one place. I go to bodies of water, that’s my sanctuary… I cleanse my mind on calm waters, the touch of the immobilizing water on the tips of my toes, the brisk breeze I can feel on myself once I take my goose-bumped filled skin out of the water… chills roll up my spine.

            I discovered my safe place in 8th grade when I never thought I would need it but then suddenly my life crumbled in my mind and I needed something to get me away from my thoughts. I went to Ocean city, New Jersey pretty often with my close friend Casey. Her and I had much in common; we loved water and releasing our minds. We would go out onto kayaks and just let the water drift us around the long path of houses. We would sit there for hours until the night fell. For most of the time out on the easy waters we wouldn’t speak, we would just lie there and close our eyes letting the tension in our minds disentangle and drain from our thoughts. When we would have a heart-to-heart it wouldn’t be a chat it would be a time to listen. We would go on until one of us would have tears dripping down our tender cheeks. These tears were much needed though it was as if our bodies were pleased to get it out of our system. When I wasn’t in New Jersey, I would go to a small river located in the woods where I’d walk through crumbled leaves and mawkish dirt. The river didn’t have to be large. It was the thought of nature that got your mind wondering off into deep thoughts so that you didn’t have to think of the thousand other things flying around in your own mind.

            When I would sit by the water I would brush my fingers over top of the streaming water, I could feel the current beneath the water and the vibration of the ground. The simplicity of it is what makes it that much easier to sit by in harmony. The freshness of running water, the aroma of old rain running through your nose, the mixture of minerals and whatever else that is stirred into the water. It’s the crisp smell flowing in the air that calms me the most. I cannot explain the thoughts that take course through my mind or what doesn’t go through my mind because I leave everything at the place I go to. It doesn’t come back in my mind and I stay composed with myself after I take the time to go to a little safe place.

            Many people may have a safe place and not even know of it. That time you lay in bed before you fall asleep where you stare blankly at the ceiling or curled up into fetal position. Do you let your thoughts run laps around your brain until you just pass out for the night? Maybe when you listen to rain in your flannel pajama pants with a big t-shirt on and listening to the droplets of rain strike the road, or the space inches away from your wool socks… some bits of the rain splash up hitting your soft skin. A safe place is somewhere where you’re not afraid to be alone. The place that you could be in the middle of nowhere and forever content with where you are just so you can appreciate yourself for a few slight moments. 

[lnpsaints]

"Climbing Mount Washington" :Narrative, Final

Lauren Pelkey

Professor Megan Anderson

En 101.08

3 December 2014

Mount Washington

            The summer going into my junior year, I took a family vacation up to Mount Washington in New Hampshire. The spring prior to this trip, my grandfather and I were sitting outside in my backyard talking about things we want to accomplish before we die, basically a bucket list. The strangest thing then happened…we both said we wanted to climb Mount Washington. We wrote it down and we were determined to be able to check it off this coming summer to our trip to New Hampshire visiting my great grandma Sarah.

            We researched the best trails to take and which would be more scenic, how long it would take up, the distance etc. Then the name “Tuckerman’s Ravine” came up, this trail stayed in our minds all the way until August when we got to New Hampshire.  We had everything and more preparing us for this hike, protein bars, sweatshirts, hiking boots, and even a camelback backpack. All of these things I could care less about but it was the one person on earth who means the most to me, my grandfather, who was going through this journey with me. Even though he’s 65 and I’m 15 years old, age didn’t matter with this because we are family who support each other and he had his mind set on doing this so I wasn’t about to stop him. When the whole family decided to come along, I knew It wasn’t because it was on my bucket list but instead they were there supporting my grandfather the whole way up keeping him motivated and wanted to see him successfully finish. Throughout the whole hike every one at least said, “You got it Pop! Keep on working” once during the hike.

            I think my Dad and Uncle doubted me being able to climb Mount Washington alone with him, in case of emergency, which I resent them for but it is all fine and dandy now. I was ecstatic when I heard the words “We are coming on the hike with you guys.” The last thing I would want is for something tragic to happen to my grandpa. My grandpa is such an inspiration to me, he is the one who always tells me to keep going and he supports me in everything always having the most cheerful smile on his face. Always looking out for others before him self. He is the strongest willed person I know and stands up for everything he believes in.

Tuckerman’s Ravine started off as a nice stroll through the forest on some pebbles. The trail slowly transitioned into large rocks on a slant, compared to the beginning where it was dirt and pebbles. In the back where my mom was you could hear her saying “Oh my god you’re kidding me right??” it was too funny, because my brother and I were breezing through it. When we got to this old rustic wooden bridge my grandpa shouted out to me saying “Lauren! Go sit on the ledge right there!” he was referring to the rusty red and orange metal rim along this old wooden bridge. Of course I did, it’s not like I was going to say no to my grandpa about taking a picture. To this day that picture is still framed in my grandparents house. There’s something with him and pictures he loves taking them at the strangest times. It lets him “remember the best memories.” We kept on going up the mountain, and at this point we are going straight up. The elevation of Mount Washington is 6,289’; we were climbing up 6,289 FT that’s just crazy to me.  This isn’t a leisure walk in the forest anymore; instead it’s a straight up hike. We are all climbing up on our hands and knees, grasping the dirt and grass in between our palms and fingers. We get to this point next to a small waterfall that was so delicate and soothing there were green patches of moss all along the rock surrounding it. As we kept climbing we started to get closer and closer to the clouds, a few feet before we got to the clouds we could see everything below us. I felt like I was actually on top of the world it was a semi circle of trees it looked like a green fluffy meadow going out into the distance. I stood there with my grandpa as he was catching his breathe from hiking. We simply stood there, no words. Looking at what we had in front of us and I know we were both thinking and admiring the same thing. A few steps up we ended up standing in the clouds; there was a long flat patch of grass that went on for a while as if we weren’t hiking anymore. My grandpa sat down and said “Lauren come over here” in his softly spoken loud voice. I walked over to him and sat next to him, “What’s up Pop, how are you liking the hike so far?” At this point we are over half way there. He responds back saying “I would do it in a heart beat again.” The life I saw while I was on top of this mountain was remarkable, the flat patch of soft grass blowing in the wind was relaxing and when I sat down into the grass I could feel the wind picking up beneath me in between my skin and the grass. The softest touch that lasts a lifetime.

            There’s something about having to be first. This whole day I had in my mind that my grandpa and I had to be the first to the top. It was our idea, so we deserved it. Now this was a little difficult since it was taking him a bit longer to get up there. When I got to the top with my brother Bryan who was 18 he waited with me, my cousin Chris who was 6 years old, Alisha age 12, and Kraig age 8. We all rushed to the top storming by our parents and grandpa. Now we are all waiting here at the top next to the wooden sign shoved into a large rock that says “MT. WASHINGTON SUMMIT 6,288FT.   1,917M.” Right as I saw my grandpa’s torso come out of the clouds I ran and hugged him. The hug that meant a lifetime, we did it. We have officially gotten to the top of Mount Washington by train, car, bus, and hiking. We accomplished going up Mount Washington in every single way possible and this was the last part of the puzzle.

            What I got from this experience was that don’t take life for granted. My grandfather is still alive today and is constantly surprising me with something new. He is living the dream without a worry in the world. A bucket list isn’t always just meant to do when you’re older it’s a thing to do throughout your life. To not worry, or complain about anything the goal in life is to simply just live the life you always dreamed of having. You can make anything possible, if you try. My grandfather opened my eyes during this journey with him. How a man of his age is still so fit, he misses running, he misses what he used to do in the army. You don’t find most people saying they miss physical activity and for him being 65, that was remarkable to me. I wish to stay as involved as he is with me and to strive to always better my life for however long I live.

[lnpsaints]

"Field hockey V. Lacrosse" :Compare and Contrast, Rough Draft

Lauren Pelkey

Professor Megan Anderson

En 101.08

13 November 2014

                                          Field hockey & Lacrosse

            Field hockey and Lacrosse are both extremely popular sports in the United States and other countries. These sports are very likable to young females because they are extremely competitive and they give you the perfect amount of contact with someone else. There are many similarities with these two sports, and there are always a numerous amount of noticeable differences. There are different types of sticks, and the sports are played in different seasons, and last but not least the rules control the game.

            Field hockey is a complicated sport. The sport is normally started in 3rd grade and goes until however far you want to go (college is the most realistic). Most young girls play on a rec team and if they continue to stay serious about it through middle school they will join a club/travel team. The club team exposes you to more competition and a better skill level, which prepares you for high school. During high school it is recommended to continue in your club team if you’d like to continue playing in high school, it gives you the exposure you need at large showcases where college coaches come and represent themselves. The sport is played in the fall as the regular season, but if you played on a club/travel team you would continue to play indoor in the winter which a completely different game with different sticks and rules. Then you’d continue in the spring and then do camps in the summer so it was known as a year round sport. It is different in college though we are required to have an off-season.

            The rules involved in field hockey are pretty easy to determine and notice, but they are repetitive. In field hockey there are special calls such as strokes this is when the goalie is waiting for the “stroker” take the stroke on the whistle of the referee. There is also an Australian corner where you have 8 seconds to take a one versus one from the 25-yard line. There are many special things about field hockey with our rules. There isn’t much contact allowed but if you nail it in a girl’s leg you won’t get called and if you do it may even be called in your favor. Its pretty wicked being able to nail a ball and hit anyone you want on the other team. Pushing happens, elbowing is known in a game and yes it does get called if It is seem often. We don’t have any positioning rules unlike other sports.

            Field hockey has a variety of sticks; there are many different sizes and styles. The biggest differences between sticks are the materials used to make them. It determines the power and motion on the stick. The different brands, gives us as players a better variety to have an identity on the field. Field Hockey sticks are very solid, some heavy (defensive sticks) others extremely light (Attack/Midfield sticks). The weight in the sticks helps with taking hits or being able to dribble smoothly on your stick. The stick it self is rounded on one side and flat on the other, it has a hook shape on the bottom and it is a thin to thick cylinder leading to the hook of the stick.

            Woman’s Lacrosse is an intricate sport there is so much too it and many rules. The sport itself is played in the spring and lasts for about 4 months, which is the same as the main season for field hockey. Lacrosse competes in tournaments that they like to call “Fall Ball”. Women’s sticks are easily broken in the spring if it is colder weather. The material is meant to be extremely light so it is easier to get a strong throw. The sticks are made out of aluminum for the shaft and a thick plastic for the head; the head is then filled with a lace or stringing of some sort. The rules of the game include off sides and many more no contact rules. Every time the whistle is blown you have to stop where you are. You are allowed to run around the goal, which isn’t allowed in field hockey. There is an 8-meter arc and a 12-meter fan, which provides lines for the players to use as a guideline for, plays.  If there is a foul in the 8-meter arc, you are able to take a free position shot on the 8-meter arc.  These fouls include rules that are implemented for the player’s safety, like shooting space.  This is when the defender gets in the way of the attacker’s shot that would be dangerous for her.  Another safety precaution for the players is the crease circle violation.  The attacking team isn’t allowed to enter the crease because they would be too close to the goalie and it would be dangerous for her.  There are also many rules to keep the aggression of the players in check.  You are not allowed to push the other players too aggressively and when you do check another player’s stick, you have to make sure you are not checking into the “sphere” of the other player.  This means that you are supposed to not come anywhere near the player’s head.

            I believe field hockey is the better sport because there are more things to it; it has a better game flow unlike lacrosse where you are constantly stopping. There are many advantages to our field and the amount of time we are given to accomplish a win. With woman’s lacrosse they have more space for their field but also have more boundaries near goal. Field hockey sticks are sturdier, even though they are expensive they last for a respectable 2+ years or they are supposed to. Lacrosse sticks are a little less expensive but have the need to be replaced more often. The overall differences and similarities between field hockey and lacrosse are not allows noticeable, but once pointed out you won’t forget them.

[lnpsaints]

"Mount Washington" :Narrative, Rough Draft

Lauren Pelkey

Professor Megan Anderson

En 101.08

4 September, 2014

Mount Washington

            The summer going into my junior year, I took a family vacation up to Mount Washington in New Hampshire. The spring prior to this trip, my grandfather and I were sitting outside in my backyard talking about things we want to accomplish before we die, basically a bucket list. The strangest thing then happened…we both said we wanted to climb Mount Washington. We wrote it down and we were determined to be able to check it off this coming summer to our trip to New Hampshire visiting my great grandma Sarah.

            We researched the best trails to take and which would be more scenic, how long it would take up, the distance etc. Then the name “Tuckerman’s Ravine” came up, this trail stayed in our minds all the way until August when we got to New Hampshire.  We had everything and more preparing us for this hike, protein bars, sweatshirts, hiking boots, and even a camelback backpack. All of these things I could care less about but it was the one person on earth who means the most to me, my grandfather, who was going through this journey with me. Even though he’s 65 and I’m 15 years old, age didn’t matter with this because we are family who support each other and he had his mind set on doing this so I wasn’t about to stop him. When the whole family decided to come along, I knew It wasn’t because it was on my bucket list but instead they were there supporting my grandfather the whole way up keeping him motivated and wanted to see him successfully finish. Throughout the whole hike every one at least said, “You got it Pop! Keep on working” once during the hike.

            I think my Dad and Uncle doubted me being able to climb Mount Washington alone with him, in case of emergency, which I resent them for but it is all fine and dandy now. I was ecstatic when I heard the words “We are coming on the hike with you guys.” The last thing I would want is for something tragic to happen to my grandpa. My grandpa is such an inspiration to me, he is the one who always tells me to keep going and he supports me in everything always having the most cheerful smile on his face. Always looking out for others before him self. He is the strongest willed person I know and stands up for everything he believes in.

Tuckerman’s Ravine started off as a nice stroll through the forest on some pebbles. The trail slowly transitioned into large rocks on a slant, compared to the beginning where it was dirt and pebbles. In the back where my mom was you could hear her saying “Oh my god you’re kidding me right??” it was too funny, because my brother and I were breezing through it. When we got to this old rustic wooden bridge my grandpa shouted out to me saying “Lauren! Go sit on the ledge right there!” he was referring to the rusty red and orange metal rim along this old wooden bridge. Of course I did, it’s not like I was going to say no to my grandpa about taking a picture. To this day that picture is still framed in my grandparents house. There’s something with him and pictures he loves taking them at the strangest times. It lets him “remember the best memories.” We kept on going up the mountain, and at this point we are going straight up. The elevation of Mount Washington is 6,289’, we were climbing up 6,289 FT that’s just crazy to me.  This isn’t a leisure walk in the forest anymore; instead it’s a straight up hike. We are all climbing up on our hands and knees, grasping the dirt and grass in between our palms and fingers. We get to this point next to a small waterfall that was so delicate and soothing there were green patches of moss all along the rock surrounding it. As we kept climbing we started to get closer and closer to the clouds, a few feet before we got to the clouds we could see everything below us. I felt like I was actually on top of the world it was a semi circle of trees it looked like a green fluffy meadow going out into the distance. I stood there with my grandpa as he was catching his breathe from hiking. We simply stood there, no words. Looking at what we had in front of us and I know we were both thinking and admiring the same thing. A few steps up we ended up standing in the clouds; there was a long flat patch of grass that went on for a while as if we weren’t hiking anymore. My grandpa sat down and said “Lauren come over here” in his softly spoken loud voice. I walked over to him and sat next to him, “What’s up Pop, how are you liking the hike so far?” At this point we are over half way there. He responds back saying “I would do it in a heart beat again.” The life I saw while I was on top of this mountain was remarkable, the flat patch of soft grass blowing in the wind was relaxing and when I sat down into the grass I could feel the wind picking up beneath me in between my skin and the grass. The softest touch that lasts a life time.

            There’s something about having to be first. This whole day I had in my mind that my grandpa and I had to be the first to the top. It was our idea, so we deserved it. Now this was a little difficult since it was taking him a bit longer to get up there. When I got to the top with my brother Bryan who was 18 he waited with me, my cousin Chris who was 6 years old, Alisha age 12, and Kraig age 8. We all rushed to the top storming by our parents and grandpa. Now we are all waiting here at the top next to the wooden sign shoved into a large rock that says “MT. WASHINGTON SUMMIT 6,288FT.   1,917M.” Right as I saw my grandpa’s torso come out of the clouds I ran and hugged him. The hug that meant a lifetime, we did it. We have officially gotten to the top of Mount Washington by train, car, bus, and hiking. We accomplished going up Mount Washington in every single way possible and this was the last part of the puzzle.

            What I got from this experience was that don’t take life for granted. My grandfather is still alive today and is constantly surprising me with something new. He is living the dream without a worry in the world. A bucket list isn’t always just meant to do when you’re older it’s a thing to do throughout your life. To not worry, or complain about anything the goal in life is to simply just live the life you always dreamed of having. You can make anything possible, if you try. My grandfather opened my eyes during this journey with him. How a man of his age is still so fit, he misses running, he misses what he used to do in the army. You don’t find most people saying they miss physical activity and for him being 65, that was remarkable to me. I wish to stay as involved as he is with me and to strive to always better my life for however long I live.

[lnpsaints]

"Safe Place" :Descriptive, rough draft

  Lauren Pelkey

30 October, 14

Professor Megan Anderson

En 101.08

Safe Place

            A safe place to me is the place where you go to not be bothered. The only place where nothing matters, where I can think on my own, and nothing interrupts my train of thought. Safe place, what does that even mean? Is it where you can go to be protected, or is it a place to release stress and to have a clear mind? My safe place can be more than just one place. I go to bodies of water, that’s my sanctuary… I cleanse my mind on calm waters, the touch of the immobilizing water on the tips of my toes, the brisk breeze I can feel on myself once I take my goose-bumped filled skin out of the water… chills roll up my spine.

            I discovered my safe place in 8th grade when I never thought I would need it but then suddenly my life crumbled in my mind and I needed something to get me away from my thoughts. I went to Ocean city, New Jersey pretty often with my close friend Casey. Her and I had much in common; we loved water and releasing our minds. We would go out onto kayaks and just let the water drift us around the long path of houses. We would sit there for hours until the night fell. For most of the time out on the easy waters we wouldn’t speak, we would just lie there and close our eyes letting the tension in our minds disentangle and drain from our thoughts. When we would have a heart-to-heart it wouldn’t be a chat it would be a time to listen. We would go on until one of us would have tears dripping down our tender cheeks. These tears were much needed though it was as if our bodies were pleased to get it out of our system. When I wasn’t in New Jersey, I would go to a small river located in the woods where I’d walk through crumbled leaves and mawkish dirt. The river didn’t have to be large. It was the thought of nature that got your mind wondering off into deep thoughts so that you didn’t have to think of the thousand other things flying around in your own mind.

            When I would sit by the water I would brush my fingers over top of the streaming water, I could feel the current beneath the water and the vibration of the ground. The simplicity of it is what makes it that much easier to sit by in harmony. The freshness of running water, the aroma of old rain running through your nose, the mixture of minerals and whatever else that is stirred into the water. It’s the crisp smell flowing in the air that calms me the most. I cannot explain the thoughts that take course through my mind or what doesn’t go through my mind because I leave everything at the place I go to. It doesn’t come back in my mind and I stay composed with myself after I take the time to go to a little safe place.

            Many people may have a safe place and not even know of it. That time you lay in bed before you fall asleep where you stare blankly at the ceiling or curled up into fetal position. Do you let your thoughts run laps around your brain until you just pass out for the night? Maybe when you listen to rain in your flannel pajama pants with a big t-shirt on and listening to the droplets of rain strike the road, or the space inches away from your wool socks… some bits of the rain splash up hitting your soft skin. A safe place is somewhere where you’re not afraid to be alone. The place that you could be in the middle of nowhere and forever content with where you are just so you can appreciate yourself for a few slight moments.