Nice touch
I was rummaging through some papers and found a printed copy of an email from one of my admired Seattle University professors, Gary Atkins. It was my senior year. The course I was taking was CMJR 315: Literary Journalism. I’ll admit I forgot what the assignment choices were, but I wrote my piece on my family and our domino games, “The Domino Effect.”
I recall writing that piece like it was yesterday. I was stressed out having to write it because it was unlike any piece of writing I had ever done. Literary journalism is factual writing with a creative, fictional twist. And, like most college students although I had the assignment weeks prior I waited until the last minute to write it. Once I started writing though the ideas, memories, and words just started flowing. It’s still one of my favorite pieces today.
Here’s what Gary wrote:
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Chrisetta –
This is a really fine piece of writing — it takes me both into the game itself, where I can both see and hear it and it takes me into the heart of the family, even more importantly. Really nice descriptive phrases, really good command of the organization spiraling around the hub both of the game itself and of the lessons it taught you. Superb job! You’ve got a very nice touch with words when you push yourself and go for them!
A+
Gary L. Atkins
Associate Professor, Communication
I feel so lucky to do what I love (write) on a daily. And, It’s kinda cool to have at least a few folks reading and enjoying what I write. As always, thanks for reading.
Chrisetta Mosley
I am a product – and now a survivor – of childhood obesity. As a child, my family always told me that my extra weight was merely baby fat and I’d eventually grow out of it. I never did. Instead, my childhood is filled with memories of not being able to ride a bike, flattening its training wheels from being over the recommended weight, and avoiding P.E. classes by any means necessary. For years, I wore my fatness like a wounded soldier wears a Purple Heart - with pride. I owned the look. I dressed it up. I worked the room. There wasn't a skinny girl who intimidated me. I made sure my hair was laid just right. Nails polished. Outfits coordinated to the tee. Accessories to compliment every outfit. But everyone has a breaking point, and mine came in the spring of 2004 when I tipped the scale at nearly 400 pounds 388 to be exact. I was MISERABLE trapped inside of that body. I no longer wore my Purple Heart with pride. Rather, I was ashamed and frightened. Ashamed that I had allowed food to become my everything – frightened I would die because of it. Drastic times called for drastic measures... Today, I’m bound and determined to live a better, healthier, active lifestyle. I realize I’m no longer a passenger in my life, I’m the driver. I’m overcoming my inhibitions and I’m slowly but surely saying farewell to my old childhood nemesis, obesity. For once and for all, Farewell Fatso!