Personal Reflection Letter

Personal Reflection Letter

Born to Joseph Dean Folden and Shelly Lynn Sarin on November 11, 1982, was a beautiful baby girl named Heather Nicole Folden. That baby girl is me, only 26 years of life experience later. Some of those life experiences include, but are not limited to, being a daughter, a mother, a partner, a sister, and a seeker of personal improvement. In 2008, on September 25th, I lost my mentor to cancer. My grandmother’s name is Ardath Lorenson. She was “a gifted writer and communicator”, as described by her survived husband. She has been one of my greatest inspirations, loudest fans, and on the day she passed away, the beginning of my journey to college began. While my family and I spent Ardath’s last days with her in the hospital, it was brought to my attention that I had a knack for nursing, as I displayed compassion and competence in what was clearly a painful time. And so it was suggested that I seek out the education necessary to become a nurse. So slowly, but surely, I took the steps of becoming an enrolled college student.

This is how I came to be in an English class that has most definitely challenged my personal thought process. Challenging my personal thought process is one of the most daunting and rewarding tasks I have ever been a part of. From feeding my local homeless community to discussing a book called “Three Cups of Tea”, I have had the privilege of practicing some principles like patience, open-mindedness, love, generosity, tolerance, and acceptance. Working with my homeless community has given me a truth that I can not ignore. That truth is that there are far too many of our brothers and sisters living on our streets just trying to survive one more night in the cold. The last thing that these people are worried about is getting a an “A” on their English paper, and that puts my petty concerns into perspective. I have learned that I do not have to agree with individual opinions or thoughts, but I do still need to show respect and compassion to people. I do not have to agree with how suggestions are given, however, I can learn from them still in order to become a better writer. There were a lot of instances throughout this class that I have felt angry, irritated, grateful and excited. I suppose though that all of the questioning that has occurred in this class has been done in the name of helping me to become a stronger writer. Sometimes becoming stronger is painful. I have been able to learn a great deal from my peers, teachers and students alike. I have been so inspired by this course to know more about what issues are influencing our society, that I have chosen to take Global Studies as one of my courses for spring quarter.

For my E-Portfolio I have chosen the following pieces to share with my reader. I have chosen to use my most recent essay, titled “Practicing Love in Place of Hate”, as my major writing assignment that best represents my ability to take a piece through the writing process. “What is Poverty” is my piece choice for sharing my ability to write effectively. “Visually He Took Me with Him”, a discussion piece from Seminar 2, displays my critical thinking and analysis abilities. “Ignorance is the Enemy” is my writer’s choice, as it was a candid sharing of my eye opening experience and the basis for my essay, “Practicing Love in Place of Hate”. I truly hope that you’ll find my e-Portfolio to be an enjoyable and informative read.