Memoir Project
The Memoir Project is when we had to write journal, poems, and have original images about our self. Then we had to pick our best and favorite 3 journals, 3 poems, and 6 original images into a book. Personally I really liked the project beacuse we were able to do creative writng about our self. The only I didn't like was doing so many drafts for the journals and poems, and having a lot of homework. But other than that it was a really good project.
Journal 1
Talahni Turpin
Chiodini, Jill
Humanities 3/4
27 Aug. 2013 Lights, Camera, Action!
A lifetime dream of mine is to go to UCLA, and earn my Bachelor’s degree in performing arts. The reason that I would like to earn my degree in performing arts, is because I always had a dream of becoming a music artist and an actress. I could just close my eyes and see it now. I could see my name outside the famous Staple Center going across the screen, and people cheering and excited for me to perform. Also I see myself on a big stage with big huge bright lights coming from each side of the stage, and me wearing some cool baggy girly pants with a nice fitted jersey crop top. As the smoke effects and lights begin to flash on me, and I can hear my fans cheering my name “TALAHNI! TALAHNI! TALAHNI! I may only be in the 9th grade, but I have already had many years of performing experience to reach my goals.
I have been in many plays during Elementary and middle school, but Annie was my favorite. I was an orphan in the play Annie. I was the best orphan on that stage. While singing a“Hard knock Life”, on stage I remember singing my heart out. After doing that play I knew that being on stage was for me, and it was something that I wanted to do more in the future. One day I would like to act in movies, and also to star in my own TV show. The type of TV shows and movies that I would like to star in is comedies, dramas, and mysteries. I dream to work with some famous actors and actresses. Such as Kevin Hart because I like how he brings all of his
Turpin 2
emotions into extremely hilarious humor, Jessica Alba because she acted in all types of different genre of movies, and Queen Latifah and Raven-Symone because there the total package they both rap, sing, and act. Finally my all-time favorite actor is Chris Tucker because I loved his funny character in all 3 Rush Hours. I could see myself working with Chris Tucker in Rush Hour 4 in the future.
I plan on doing it all in the future. Also I would love to perform professionally as a recording artist. I have actually performed my original song in many talent shows throughout the years. I love all types of dance. I have performed in many dance and hip-hop competitions. I would like to perform and teach choreography in the future. I love to express myself while performing for an audience, I always feel happy and alive. The same as a microphone is to a song performing is to me. I will reach my dreams and goals. Like Malcom X said in his famous quote “By Any Means Necessary”!
Chiodini, Jill
Humanities 3/4
27 Aug. 2013 Lights, Camera, Action!
A lifetime dream of mine is to go to UCLA, and earn my Bachelor’s degree in performing arts. The reason that I would like to earn my degree in performing arts, is because I always had a dream of becoming a music artist and an actress. I could just close my eyes and see it now. I could see my name outside the famous Staple Center going across the screen, and people cheering and excited for me to perform. Also I see myself on a big stage with big huge bright lights coming from each side of the stage, and me wearing some cool baggy girly pants with a nice fitted jersey crop top. As the smoke effects and lights begin to flash on me, and I can hear my fans cheering my name “TALAHNI! TALAHNI! TALAHNI! I may only be in the 9th grade, but I have already had many years of performing experience to reach my goals.
I have been in many plays during Elementary and middle school, but Annie was my favorite. I was an orphan in the play Annie. I was the best orphan on that stage. While singing a“Hard knock Life”, on stage I remember singing my heart out. After doing that play I knew that being on stage was for me, and it was something that I wanted to do more in the future. One day I would like to act in movies, and also to star in my own TV show. The type of TV shows and movies that I would like to star in is comedies, dramas, and mysteries. I dream to work with some famous actors and actresses. Such as Kevin Hart because I like how he brings all of his
Turpin 2
emotions into extremely hilarious humor, Jessica Alba because she acted in all types of different genre of movies, and Queen Latifah and Raven-Symone because there the total package they both rap, sing, and act. Finally my all-time favorite actor is Chris Tucker because I loved his funny character in all 3 Rush Hours. I could see myself working with Chris Tucker in Rush Hour 4 in the future.
I plan on doing it all in the future. Also I would love to perform professionally as a recording artist. I have actually performed my original song in many talent shows throughout the years. I love all types of dance. I have performed in many dance and hip-hop competitions. I would like to perform and teach choreography in the future. I love to express myself while performing for an audience, I always feel happy and alive. The same as a microphone is to a song performing is to me. I will reach my dreams and goals. Like Malcom X said in his famous quote “By Any Means Necessary”!
Journal 2
Talahni Turpin
Humanities 3/4
4 September 2013
African Princess
One night my grandmother was drinking a cup of hot tea and reading a book from work. When she was half way through finishing, she saw a name, a name that really stood out to her. That name was,” Talahni”. She liked how it sounds and how it was spelled. After finishing the book, the name never left her.
A few days later, she told my mom about the book and the name of the girl. When she told her the name, my mom said, “It’s beautiful and different.” Then she said, “Yeah it is, and I think it would be the perfect name for your new baby.” My mom said, “Okay, I’ll think about. Thanks for the advice mom”.
On Nov, 5, 1999, I was born. Everyone was surrounding my mom; they had a lot of gifts for her like teddy bears, clothes, and balloons.My grandmother said “This is like opening a Christmas gift, except this is ten times better”. When my mom asked her, “What’s in the bag?” She said, “Oh it’s nothing… you’ll see”. In the bag was a pink blanket, a cuddly teddy bear, and a cool, pink coat. Later my family members gathered around to start suggesting names. Members of our family started throwing out different names like, Lisa, Tina, Dominique, etc. After throwing out, names, my mom finally made her decision. She turned to my grandmother my nana eyes shone with pride as she said, her name is Talahni. The name Talahni means
African princess and to be highly respected.” Everyone agreed with my mom, and nana said “this was perfect”. Now today I’m very proud that my nana and my mom gave me my name. I like because it’s different, and unique. Even though people pronounced it wrong a lot, I still love my name.
Humanities 3/4
4 September 2013
African Princess
One night my grandmother was drinking a cup of hot tea and reading a book from work. When she was half way through finishing, she saw a name, a name that really stood out to her. That name was,” Talahni”. She liked how it sounds and how it was spelled. After finishing the book, the name never left her.
A few days later, she told my mom about the book and the name of the girl. When she told her the name, my mom said, “It’s beautiful and different.” Then she said, “Yeah it is, and I think it would be the perfect name for your new baby.” My mom said, “Okay, I’ll think about. Thanks for the advice mom”.
On Nov, 5, 1999, I was born. Everyone was surrounding my mom; they had a lot of gifts for her like teddy bears, clothes, and balloons.My grandmother said “This is like opening a Christmas gift, except this is ten times better”. When my mom asked her, “What’s in the bag?” She said, “Oh it’s nothing… you’ll see”. In the bag was a pink blanket, a cuddly teddy bear, and a cool, pink coat. Later my family members gathered around to start suggesting names. Members of our family started throwing out different names like, Lisa, Tina, Dominique, etc. After throwing out, names, my mom finally made her decision. She turned to my grandmother my nana eyes shone with pride as she said, her name is Talahni. The name Talahni means
African princess and to be highly respected.” Everyone agreed with my mom, and nana said “this was perfect”. Now today I’m very proud that my nana and my mom gave me my name. I like because it’s different, and unique. Even though people pronounced it wrong a lot, I still love my name.
Journal 3
Talahni Turpin
Humanities 3/4
24 Sept. 2013 A House Of Memories
I remember that day. 2007, August, 15. It was so hot my sweat from my face was dripping like raindrops. I was packing up boxes from my room and the living room. 2 hours later I was in my car in my driveway ready to say goodbye. The car started, and I said bye to my house. In the car ride I started to think about all of the memories I had in my house.
The first time I got to the house was in 2000. I was 8 weeks old. I remember my mom tucking me into my little pink and white crib. Then my mom told me goodnight don’t let the bedbugs bite. In a few months I started to get used to the house, and the neighborhood. I remember my favorite TV show Big Bear and the Big Blue house will come on every day at 2:00. When that show came on I would just zone out, and be in my own little world. When I started to get a little bit older, I started to dance in my big living room. I was always trying to do some crazy dance move around the house. I almost ended up breaking my back. My favorite song to always dance to be Usher’s song Yeah.
My favorite story of all time in that house was The Jerry story (A.K.A. The Mouse Story). Just a few nights after my 6th birthday, my dad was getting ready for work. In our garage he was watching a little bit of TV with the garage open before he had to leave. When he wasn’t looking outside, the little mouse came into the garage, and into the house. When my dad finished watching TV he went into the house and decided to get some cereal from the closet. When he opened the closet he was just looking to see what kind of cereal he wanted. All of sudden he started to feel something crawl on his sock. He looked and saw a brown mouse on his foot. He screamed so loud that he woke my mom up. My mom came rushing down stairs, and
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asked my dad what was wrong? He was so shocked his mouth was moving, but no words were coming out. Then my mom saw the mouse running through the kitchen. She then screamed so loud that, she woke up me and my brother. My brotherand I were in a little corner towards the bottom of stairs watching all of the action. Next thing I know I hear a crazy screaming woman saying “GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!” She started chasing the mouse with a huge broom. She was screaming so loud, you could see tiny tears coming out of her eyes. After a while she lost track of the mouse, and started to calm down. That next day she called the exterminator, and got the mouse out of the house
That was still one crazy memory that I will never forget. I was still thinking about a lot of other memories in my house. The car ride ended 2 minutes later, and I was only 2 blocks away from my old house. Sometimes I still pass that house, and think about all of the fun memories I had.
Humanities 3/4
24 Sept. 2013 A House Of Memories
I remember that day. 2007, August, 15. It was so hot my sweat from my face was dripping like raindrops. I was packing up boxes from my room and the living room. 2 hours later I was in my car in my driveway ready to say goodbye. The car started, and I said bye to my house. In the car ride I started to think about all of the memories I had in my house.
The first time I got to the house was in 2000. I was 8 weeks old. I remember my mom tucking me into my little pink and white crib. Then my mom told me goodnight don’t let the bedbugs bite. In a few months I started to get used to the house, and the neighborhood. I remember my favorite TV show Big Bear and the Big Blue house will come on every day at 2:00. When that show came on I would just zone out, and be in my own little world. When I started to get a little bit older, I started to dance in my big living room. I was always trying to do some crazy dance move around the house. I almost ended up breaking my back. My favorite song to always dance to be Usher’s song Yeah.
My favorite story of all time in that house was The Jerry story (A.K.A. The Mouse Story). Just a few nights after my 6th birthday, my dad was getting ready for work. In our garage he was watching a little bit of TV with the garage open before he had to leave. When he wasn’t looking outside, the little mouse came into the garage, and into the house. When my dad finished watching TV he went into the house and decided to get some cereal from the closet. When he opened the closet he was just looking to see what kind of cereal he wanted. All of sudden he started to feel something crawl on his sock. He looked and saw a brown mouse on his foot. He screamed so loud that he woke my mom up. My mom came rushing down stairs, and
Turpin 2
asked my dad what was wrong? He was so shocked his mouth was moving, but no words were coming out. Then my mom saw the mouse running through the kitchen. She then screamed so loud that, she woke up me and my brother. My brotherand I were in a little corner towards the bottom of stairs watching all of the action. Next thing I know I hear a crazy screaming woman saying “GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!” She started chasing the mouse with a huge broom. She was screaming so loud, you could see tiny tears coming out of her eyes. After a while she lost track of the mouse, and started to calm down. That next day she called the exterminator, and got the mouse out of the house
That was still one crazy memory that I will never forget. I was still thinking about a lot of other memories in my house. The car ride ended 2 minutes later, and I was only 2 blocks away from my old house. Sometimes I still pass that house, and think about all of the fun memories I had.
Poem 1
Talahni Turpin
Humanities 3/4
19 Sept. 2013
I am from
I am from a family with one brother, one cousin, and parents.
I am from a family who loves to cook and eat our diverse meals with passion.
I am from a family of dusting it off and trying again like Aaliyah from her most favorite song.
I am from where my all-time favorite story is Green Eggs and Ham.
I am from a family who loves the word “n to the no ain’t gonna go, when there telling somebody off.
I am from a family where my dad says, all the time, “Go to school and don’t be a fool.
I am from a family where the worst news I’ve ever been told is that my great grandma had died in the hospital.
I am from wherea best household item is TV and music.
I am from a family were we love to watch “The Christmas Story all night long on Christmas Eve until we go to sleep.
I am from a family when we appear in front of people, our sense of humor or joy shines like a star.
I am from a family were we are kind and have a good sense of humor. But if you cross us or mess with one of the Turpins, our temper and stubbornness gets in rage like an earthquake.
I am from where one of my favorite experiences with my family is when I and my cousins played Truth or Dare in my Nana’s basement.
I am from where one of my biggest influences is from my uncle, Ladohn.
I am from where one of my scariest moments ever, was when my mom was in a car accident.
I am from where I am the most happy when I’m around friends and family.
I am from where my most priceless memories are in an awesome box in my mind.
Humanities 3/4
19 Sept. 2013
I am from
I am from a family with one brother, one cousin, and parents.
I am from a family who loves to cook and eat our diverse meals with passion.
I am from a family of dusting it off and trying again like Aaliyah from her most favorite song.
I am from where my all-time favorite story is Green Eggs and Ham.
I am from a family who loves the word “n to the no ain’t gonna go, when there telling somebody off.
I am from a family where my dad says, all the time, “Go to school and don’t be a fool.
I am from a family where the worst news I’ve ever been told is that my great grandma had died in the hospital.
I am from wherea best household item is TV and music.
I am from a family were we love to watch “The Christmas Story all night long on Christmas Eve until we go to sleep.
I am from a family when we appear in front of people, our sense of humor or joy shines like a star.
I am from a family were we are kind and have a good sense of humor. But if you cross us or mess with one of the Turpins, our temper and stubbornness gets in rage like an earthquake.
I am from where one of my favorite experiences with my family is when I and my cousins played Truth or Dare in my Nana’s basement.
I am from where one of my biggest influences is from my uncle, Ladohn.
I am from where one of my scariest moments ever, was when my mom was in a car accident.
I am from where I am the most happy when I’m around friends and family.
I am from where my most priceless memories are in an awesome box in my mind.
Poem 2
Talahni Turpin
Humanities 3/4
29 Sept. 2013
Her Spirit Is Always With Me
Her spirit was with me the day she died.
I cried! And cried! Until I had no more tears inside of me.
Her spirit is with me when I’m at my worst.
I can always hear her saying her favorite line “Keep up the good work.”
That line will always cheer me up when I have made an accomplishment in my life.
Her spirit is always with me every time I see an object that reminds me of her.
Like a flower is to a bee my Great Grandma is that to me .
I will always look at that cool teddy bear with a trumpet that would play nonstop without anyone pressing the play button, that my Great Grandma gave to my brother as a gift.
Her spirit is with me when I’m feeling relaxed.
I remembered her smile as I zipped lined through the sky 80 feet high.
Every time I would go to the beach I could see her smile when I look at the ocean.
Her spirit is with me all day every day.
Humanities 3/4
29 Sept. 2013
Her Spirit Is Always With Me
Her spirit was with me the day she died.
I cried! And cried! Until I had no more tears inside of me.
Her spirit is with me when I’m at my worst.
I can always hear her saying her favorite line “Keep up the good work.”
That line will always cheer me up when I have made an accomplishment in my life.
Her spirit is always with me every time I see an object that reminds me of her.
Like a flower is to a bee my Great Grandma is that to me .
I will always look at that cool teddy bear with a trumpet that would play nonstop without anyone pressing the play button, that my Great Grandma gave to my brother as a gift.
Her spirit is with me when I’m feeling relaxed.
I remembered her smile as I zipped lined through the sky 80 feet high.
Every time I would go to the beach I could see her smile when I look at the ocean.
Her spirit is with me all day every day.
Poem 3
Talahni Turpin
Humanities 3/4
3 Oct. 2013
I Am At My Happiest
I am at my happiest,
When it is a warm beautiful day.
I am at my happiest,
When I’m around people who love meand supports me through anything.
I am at my happiest,
When I listen to music that makes me want to party.
I am at my happiest,
When I dance and my feet can’t stop moving.
I am at my happiest,
When I eat and feel the texture of Doritos in my mouth.
I am at my happiest,
When I ride an awesome roller coaster that feels like flying in the sky.
I am at my happiest,
When I watch my favorite TV shows that haves a story to it.
I am at my happiest,
When I’m perfectly happy.
Humanities 3/4
3 Oct. 2013
I Am At My Happiest
I am at my happiest,
When it is a warm beautiful day.
I am at my happiest,
When I’m around people who love meand supports me through anything.
I am at my happiest,
When I listen to music that makes me want to party.
I am at my happiest,
When I dance and my feet can’t stop moving.
I am at my happiest,
When I eat and feel the texture of Doritos in my mouth.
I am at my happiest,
When I ride an awesome roller coaster that feels like flying in the sky.
I am at my happiest,
When I watch my favorite TV shows that haves a story to it.
I am at my happiest,
When I’m perfectly happy.