I twirled the Silly Putty into a long green mustache and placed it above my upper lip, igniting a loud explosion of laughter from Felicia. She had been quiet all evening, but from that moment onwards, I realized that I would have a new little girlfriend, tugging at my shirt always wanting to play.
Our first night at the Carter’s, who I learned are now the Yorkes’ via a divorce, was so much fun. Time passed quickly as we grew friendlier, the initial hesitation and uncertainty evaporated and we’ve already grown into family. I feel very close with the Yorkes. I consider Victoria a little sister (she is the same age as my brother). I am inspired and impressed with her accomplishments and future goals. She is applying for colleges now and I feel the same urge to guide her like I guide my little brother. Ms. Yorke reminds me of my own mother and grandmother. She would fit in with my family very well and we exchange stories to illustrate our similarities. Little Felicia is a cutie and full of energy and a great imagination.
I think the film is going great so far but more importantly I feel a strong connection with the Yorkes and consider them very close to me.
[Editor’s Note: This reflection was captured as part of an English class taught by Luisa Dantas to explore place-based storytelling.]
Earthtalk: “Cool Roofs” for New Orleans
It’s hot outside, but it could be cooler! In this article, Brooke Theis explores Cool Roofs, an effective solution to the urban heat island effect that makes the New Orleans heat so unbearable. The author also explores inequalities in how people experience the environment from identity perspectives like race and class.
Big Chem-EZ: How can small Louisiana communities access clean drinking water after a hurricane?
When I went to visit the Pointe-au-Chien tribe after Hurricane Ida with my Service Learning class, I heard that one of the biggest challenges in the aftermath of the hurricane was finding enough drinking water, so in this article, I explore water purification methods: 1) when they are necessary, 2) how they work, and 3) if they really make your water safe to drink.
