A Change of Heart Essay -- Personal Narrative Writing

A Change of Heart Stepping through the revolving glass doors of the hospital felt like entering a completely different world. With my arms crossed over my chest, I followed my parents though the never-ending, eggshell white hallways. My nostrils burned from the fumes of cleaners and sterility. Lovely paintings and luscious plants filled the walkways, trying to mask the hollow, empty feeling that most visitors felt. We passed two types of people along the way to our destination: the kind that strolled by while flashing everyone big, cheery smiles, and the people who kept their gaze straight ahead ignoring your mere existence; I preferred the latter. I did not belong in this place. This was a place for the sick, a place where people went to die. My grandfather did not belong here. We continued walking as my thoughts slipped away to a more pleasant time in my life. I pictured our family tradition of traveling to my grandparents' home every Sunday afternoon. Their quaint little home, white washed with baby blue shutters welcomed any stranger and had a faint honeysuckle aroma that soothed the weariest of souls. We ate lunch together with my grandfather and grandmother sitting like kings and queens at opposite ends of the table. Then everyone gathered in the family room and spent the late afternoon playing games and catching up on the big events of the week. My grandfather spent his time playing with each grandchild one at a time so we would feel special. Anyone could tell that he loved his job as a grandparent. His eyes twinkled with delight and his smile never faded as he spent time with us. He loved throwing us up in the air with his powerful arms, until we squealed with delight as our stomachs flew above our heads. ... ... take a step forward. The situation glimmered with a stream of hope. Reaching his hand out to me, I edged even closer and placed my hand atop his. At that moment, I knew that everything would turn out okay. My grandfather had changed physically but not mentally. I needed his smile to assure me of that. A calming feeling came over me as I walked through the revolving doors and out of the hospital into the bright sunshine. Removing the 200 pounds of iron that sat on my heart and leaving behind the massive building which housed the source of my troubles felt welcoming. I walked away from the situation knowing that my grandfather's personality or love for me did not change. However, my attitude shifted from looking at my grandfather as not being acceptable, to understanding that the only thing that had changed was his physical appearance; he was still the same.

Coffee Shops Essay

Whenever I am in need to study or just want to find a place to hangout, what instantly springs to my mind is a coffee shop. There are many different coffee shops around me, but only one is my absolute favorite. My favorite coffee shop is Beca House. Beca House is a locally owned business and is only about twelve minutes from my house. It is the coziest little nook, where I usually spend my mornings before class eating breakfast and drinking my favorite espresso coffee drink. After all, coffee is the best way to wake up and get the body moving. As I walk into Beca House every morning, the strong bitter aroma of ground coffee beans drift through the air, soaking into my clothes as I make my way to the counter to place my order. The smell was circulating because the coffee bar is located near the left side of the shop. The first attraction for me was the baked goods. They are tidily placed in the transparent glass cabinet, lining up and waiting for me to eat them all. There were all different types of baked goods like muffins, streusels, cheesecakes, cookies, and biscotti’s. Up above near the ceiling of the bar, there were an assortment of coffee beans packed into brown bags. The barista takes my order, large campfire frappe, double espresso. On a cooler day, I order a hot vanilla cappuccino. The delicious smell of coffee generates from the espresso machines. There is also a blackboard on the counter near the menu with a quote written with chalk that will change from day to day. The barista hands me my custom beverage order, and I stroll back to the front of the coffee shop to find a place to get comfortable. All along the walls of the shop are strategically placed vintage paintings and inspirational quotes. Dim lights shine on the spaced out vintage furniture, making for a very soothing and quiet atmosphere. No two pieces of furniture are the same, big couches, small wooden chairs, dark colored pillows, and rustic end tables. I like admiring this type of environment: soothing and calming, yet still inviting. In comparison to most restaurants, coffee shops are by no means a noisy place. The sound of chatters and laughter blends together with the background music playing around the shop, and the volume is set at a medium tone. Coffee shops provide a comfortable, yet sociable gathering spot for people of all ages. I often find peers of my own studying for big tests, writing papers, or maybe just reading a new book and relaxing. The Beca House is my favorite part to my day. I cannot start without it. Even on days that I do not have class, I find myself getting my daily cup of coffee at the crack of dawn, just before work. Stopping at Beca House has become part of my daily routine, and I do not see it being cut out any time soon. I know I go there a lot when the barista’s know my order when I walk through the door. There’s something so perfect about it being just me, my thoughts, and my morning cup of coffee.

Film Analysis Of Belle Epoque - 981 Words

The 1992 film directed by Fernando Trueba, Belle Epoque is a Spanish film that is set in 1931 and while the year itself seems to hold little significance to the plot of the story it provides viewers with an alternative to what the 1930’s in Spain could have held. Belle Epoque demonstrates to viewers a society in which sexual liberation, and freedom, are accepted as well as a reversal in the roles of men and women. One of most interesting aspects of the film is of the relationship between the four daughters, Clara (played by Miriam Diaz Aroca), Rocà ­o (played by Maribel Verdà º), Violeta (played by Ariadna Gil), and Luz (played by Penà ©lope Cruz) and their interaction with a mysterious visitor Fernando (played by Jorge Sanz). Throughout the†¦show more content†¦She is in a soldier’s uniform specifically the same green uniform that appears in the opening of the movie in which we find out that Fernando is a deserting soldier. This particular costume of Violet a’s is a reminder of the key theme that runs throughout the film, the reversal of gender roles. The costume also holds symbolic value as well because soldiers are often associated with masculine traits such a bravery, strength, and aggression, three traits which are commonly reserved for only men. However, Trueba abolished this notion throughout the film and Violeta as a soldier helps facilitate his agenda. There are other masculine traits that Violeta takes on in the scene such a thin drawn on mustache. The mustache can be seen as another way in which Trueba tries to exemplify Violeta’s ability to be masculine. This addition to her appearance is important because a mustache can mark the transition from adolescence to manhood, but in Violeta’s case it helps to cement her desire to break away from the prescribed notion held in society of a woman or ideas of gender. Violeta’s costume can also be interpreted as a signifier of the desire of the women in the f ilm as well as portraying them as the sexual aggressors by placing Violeta in a position of power. If Violeta is in a position of power then Fernando’s costume places him in a position of inferiority. Fernando is presented in this sequence dressed in a French maid costume. It is a classic outfit