January 21, 2009
My dad is a translator working overseas for the American military. For six months I have not seen him. He writes me emails to explain the dire situation in Iraq. He has been staying at some kind of American base, but he really can't tell me too much information; he is not allowed to he says. He seems happy working there, but I sense through his writing that he misses us. I try to fight back my tears when I read his sweet emails telling me to take care of mom and to tell my sisters to do good in school.
He said he would call today, but I have been patiently waiting and mom keeps checking if our phone is working properly. I always wonder what Iraq is like. I always hear that it is not too safe over there, but I am sure it is like America in so many ways. It has to be. I am going to have to ask dad to give me a good description and to take pictures when he has some free time.
January 22, 2009
Dad finally called this morning before I headed out to my boring job. I had a good chat with him before I started passing the phone down to my mom and my other siblings. We talked about school, my job, and I asked him to send me an email with some pictures. After work today I checked my email, he had sent me five pictures. One picture was of him and the people he works with in their uniform. Other pictures were of the churches or the buildings that were recently bombed by terrorists. A feeling of fear for my dad engulfed me as tears streamed down my eyes. The message on the bottom said:
Sweetie, if you are trying to figure out if Iraq and America are similar, they are as similar as they are different. New York isn't exactly California, but still considered America. Mid East isn't exactly the West, but still considered a region containing humanity.
Love, Dad
Wow Reata! This is an amazing first post. I love the two-part structure and the social relevance of what you are describing. The resonance of your father's voice via his letter at the end of your story is absolutely beautiful. You have a great sense of structure, and the title is a perfect fit. I'm truly looking forward to seeing more of your work for this course! Enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteHey Reata. You have a natural gift of writing. I really like how this piece is journal-like. It reads smoothly and is very "real." The internal questions you ask are a perfect build up to how your father responds in the very end. It makes the reader think, but is also very uplifting to read. If I could suggest anything I would say, give us more! I would love to read more. Adding more details would also be interesting. Good job.
ReplyDelete-Christine Cooke
Hey Reata! I really appreciated your blog "East to West." I can't imagine on January 21 when you waited around for a phone call, patient but anxious all at the same time. Your blog made me put myself in your shoes and create my own feelings of such an event. Great job setting a moment in which the reader is hooked to hear what will happen next. I love your dad's quote at the end of the blog..what an appreciation for all life your dad has. I really can't wait to read of your blogs!! GREAT JOB!!!
ReplyDeleteHey!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that your blog was the last one I read because they always say to save the best for last. I absolutely loved your blog. It was real, sincere, creative, passionate, and I felt (probably only a fraction) of what you feel every minute of every day; for I had to try and fight off the tears during the last portion. I loved how you wrote in a diary format. It made it more personal and made you, as a writer and as a person, vulnerable to feel and say things that people would normally not say. I appreciate what you, your family, and father are doing for this country. Can't wait to learn more about you!
God bless your father :)
Hi Reata,
ReplyDeleteWow, your first post was incredible! I really enjoyed reading it, it seemed so real by the detailed description of your emotions. I really liked how you separated your story into two sections and how you toke the reader to the past and then to the present. I believe the transition you made was vital to give the story the sense of “reality”, that really caught my attention. I also liked how you ended your story with the comparison of “New York” to “California” and how the “Mid-east” isn’t exactly the “West”. Great ending! I’m looking forward to reading more of your stories.