Understanding My Culture and my Namesake

Above is a video of Taino Indian histroy. My Great-Grandmother and Grandmother where Taino Indians. My Great Grandmother was 114 years old when she passed away, I was only 8, but my Grandmother used to sit with her and I and recall wonderful memories of her tribe. I do not remember most of what she said, however, as I grew up my own mother told me of the history behind our family. I remember her telling me the reason she gave me the first part of my middle name; Taina, because I was blessed to be a descendant of the  tribe. I was given my name from my Great Grandmother, Abdullia Delia-Taina Rivera, who married outside of her tribe to the love of her life, thus creating her legacy. My name gives me a great sense of pride in knowing that I derive from a group of people who endured so much and never lost hope. I am happy to be Desirée Taina-Lee Solórzano, great granddaughter of an amazing and strong woman.

And just as a bonus; a link to an old mythology of the Taino Princess, her lover, and the fate they share.http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/41/292.html

Viva la Vida- Frida Kahlo

Voodoo Girl

Her skin is white cloth,
and she's all sewn apart
and she has many colored pins
sticking out of her heart.

She has many different zombies
who are deeply in her trance.
She even has a zombie
who was originally from France.

But she knows she has a curse on her,
a curse she cannot win.
For if someone gets
too close to her,

the pins stick farther in.”
― Tim Burton

Dinah used to always worry that she’d end up alone,
Because she struggled to abandon her comfort zone.
Surrounded by books is where she felt right at home,
Many weekend nights spent pouring over a new tome.

And while she has friends, she’s no one’s one and only
Despite no significant other,…

Virginia Woolf's Suicide note to her husband, Leonard

“If anybody could have saved me it would have been you.”

My 102 Epiphany: Discovering my Ah-Ha Moment!

Have you ever had that moment of sudden clarity? Everyone has, and it seems to be the most electrifying moment that almost stops time itself. I guess that is what this English 102 class has been for me, a moment of sudden clarity. Why do I say this, well for one, it is rare that a scholar comes across a truly passionate instructor that pours out the true contents of his or her heart and mind. It is this that creates a sudden ripple effect in the water.

From the moment I entered Professor Mignano-Brady's classroom, I knew I was going to have to work hard, not just because I was late and absent almost every single day, but because I knew from the inflection and tone of her voice that she wasn't just looking to teach a few concepts and call it a day. She truly wanted us as her students, and young scholars to actually get our gears grinding and build abstract thoughts on our own. To relate her class to the world around us. And that what this class has done for me. Sure student's always tell their professors that they learned so much and that is was all wonderful and great, without truly meaning it, however this is not the case. Sure, most of the students can come up with a lot of the ideas that were spoken in class, but some were not so easily crafted. And to have the ability to relate it to history, social, and political issues is just a bonus.

This class has helped me think fast on my feet, and use my mind as a filing cabinet, so that one idea or event helps trigger something in my memory that will allow me to relate it to something I have learned in the past. It may seem like a simple task to most, however, it may not be so simple to others. Five years from now I can only expect that I will continue to improve on my writing skills,creative thinking, and hopefully I will be one step closer to mastering my true passion for writing.