Dear Marlen,
I am writing to you the same way I always have; with the amazement that I am still in your class. After the first and second classes with you I didn’t think I would be back for a third ass-kicking but here I am once again writing my reflective letter for the third and final time. I think I have finally come to a realization with regard to taking your classes. It’s like a sick nicotene packed cigarette. I know how hard the class will be at the beginning and the thought that I am not going to make it this time but yet I continue to come because I need that “nicotene” which I think symbolizes the knowledge that I have obtained throughout this class.
After the first class in English 101, I didn’t think you could do much better with your teaching. Needless to say I was then proved wrong with the next semster in Literature 121. Then I knew it for sure! There was no conceiveable way you could beat that class; it was just too fucking good. The heroes journey, Siddhartha and everything we learned was just unmatchable. Once again I was mistaken in my ignorance of Marlen Harrison’s teaching skills.
I knew when I was reading the syllabus over Christmas break I would have a harder time with this class than the other two previous ones. I have this inate fear of picking research topics because I have way to many ideas circling in and around my mind. I started to call people and ask them if they had any ideas and then I would walk around with people and ask them but nothing seemed to be prevalent to me alone. Then that’s when it finally hit me. This is my own journey just like everybody in the Lit. class. You are one sly cat I must say. All of your classes have correlated with one another and that is the genius behind it all I feel more prepared to write this research paper because of all the knowledge I have obtained through all of the previous classes. I got this!
I felt that this class is more grown-up than the others. I feel like there are things that are expected of us as college students to know. I like it that way because it rids the class of all the pointless bullshit that would otherwise hold us back from being ourselves. The freedom is the most amazing part of this class. We are not just the students but the teachers to one another as well.
If it’s fool me once shame on you; fool me twice shame on me..but what about the third time? I believe now I just love coming to this class. I can never explain what these classes have done for me throughout my life. I am a grateful person for them. I never thought I would ever be a course assisstant. I never thought people would ask me for help. I never thought I would have fifty blog views on the day homework’s are due. I never thought I would read poems in front of people where they actually clap afterwards. I have come out of a shell of being labeled and into a new world of ”Brockness”. All of this would not have been possible without these classes and yourself Marlen. I thank you and am excited to continue on this journey in life throughout this course.
Sincerely,
Brock Andrew Kawana
i like your letter
and i totally agree with you on how i never would’ve thought i would get so many blog views. like why are people even bothering to look at it? other than to get comments of course haha
This makes me smile in and out. I love that you’re still growing, changing, facing challenges, keep getting proved wrong, end up loving what you’ve chosen to be a part of, have definitely worked past your comfort zones, ended up doing things you never thought you’d end up doing, getting that praise from people, inspiring others through being you and sharing your thoughts your words. Who knew you’d get this kind of experience throughout the first half of your college years. Not everyone gets to go through this. For those who do, all go through it their own way. I’m glad you connect with things that go on. It’s neat how you got prepared to take this particular class. I remember you telling me how this research class is more grown up but it was in a more negative light, whenever you wrote this letter you saw it more as freedom and being yourself. I don’t know how you see it right now, today, but I’m sure this isn’t a class you’ve regretted to take. You do make a difference. You do matter. You do have the power to influence other people, to inspire them. You do have things to share. I can hear you saying something like “What is this girl smoking?” “What is she talking about?” “You’re crazy” lol But that’s okay with me. You get what I’m saying. I’m either going to be real awake & wired or zombie-like in class “today”. I forsee an all nighter that I’ve brought onto myself. GOOOOOD Night.