Leeza Vernon
English 1109 at 10:30, M-W
11-06-2020
Journal 8: Compare & Contrast
In the book Callings by Dave Isay, a story that wasn’t particularly my favorite was “Funeral Director Don Byles, 65, Talks With His Daughter and Protegee, Mackenzie Byles, 25.” A story I did enjoy was “Sculptor Olga Ayala, 57, Talks To Her Ex-Husband, Efraim Ayala, 61, About Her Mother, Artist Ramona Cruz.”
While reading the two stories I didn't see much of a comparison between a funeral director and a sculptor, but once I read closer I saw similar things. While reading I realized in both stories they had people who inspired them prior to doing their job. In the first story, Mackenzie was inspired by her father’s job. In the story, she talks about how her sister and she would have little funerals for her hamsters. In the second story, Olga talks about how her mom inspired her to become an artist when she saw her mom drawing one day randomly. She said she never created art with her mother, but they inspired one another. Both stories have people who inspired them to have a passion for the work they do.
The biggest difference I realized was how they came about their passions. Mackenzie came about her passion for being around her dad in this workplace and spending time there. Olga found her passion by seeing her mom draw Mickey Mouse doodle on a grocery list. Both of them grew a love for what they do and a passion for their work.
In a way, I can relate to Olga’s story is because I've been around someone who has, later on, inspired me into doing something that later on became a passion of mine. When I was younger I would go to gymnastics class, I never really thought about getting competitive with it until I saw one of my coaches competing. Later on, I started competing in gymnastics and realized I didn’t like it. For a while, I hated gymnastics because of my experience, but eventually, I talked to my old coach and I got back into it and my passion for it grew.
Crazy how someone can reignite your passion for something. I also felt a bit like you in a sense. During this project I really felt it when you said "but once I read closer I saw similar things." I connected with your words here while reflecting on my own experiences while writing for this class. I too had difficulty finding things until I re-read the material and really analyzed it. Hope gymnastics are going well!
ReplyDeleteit just sometimes takes one person to show you or help you what are you passionate of. I agree with Gavin it cane be difficult finding what exactly you're passionate of but as soonest you investigate within yourself and surrounding you it can be rewarding. I wanted to become a mechanical engineer but instead due to my dad and some movies and articles I read about the human mind and mental disorders I wanted to become something closer to that branch of medicine.
ReplyDelete