Gramma Jewel—My Final Essay

Hi, Everyone!

As I mentioned in my Tuesday blog, I’ve got one more paper to write before my final exam. My final paper is centered around a beautifully spirited woman whom I love so much: Vivian Jewel Jones—a.k.a. my Gramma Jewel. Just check this out:

They don’t come any sweeter than my grandmother, Vivian Jewel Jones, Baby!

Diminutive in stature but larger than life, this sweet, little silver-haired lady was born, raised, and educated in Ruleville, Mississippi on October 15, 1935, to Gregory and Lynn Coleman. Whereas I know her fondly as “Gramma Jewel,” she is known throughout her neighborhood as “Ms. Viv” or “Auntie Jewel.” She is the traditional “ol’ skool” Southern grandmother, as she greets everyone she meets with “Hey, Baby!” or “Hi, Honey.”

Vivian is the mother of five lovable yet rambunctious children (her words exactly), and a grandmother of seven—of which I am the youngest grandchild. She is also recognized in her community as a good neighbor and a true friend. An avid churchgoer, one can find Vivian on the second row of the Mother’s Board at First Baptist Church every Sunday, and you can catch her at Bible Study on Wednesday evenings.

Full of life and vibrancy, Vivian is a very strong-spirited Christian woman who makes friends everywhere she goes. She is very close to her next door neighbors, and she also makes the best strawberry seven-up cake in the world.

Now, mind you: This is only the rough draft, but have you noticed that this essay is writing itself? Perhaps it’s because I’ve been around my Gramma Jewel in all eighteen and a half years of my life—that and the stories that my mom, aunts, and uncles have shared with me. And even Gramma Jewel herself has regaled me with stories of her past. I know she would want me to include how she grew up in the middle of the Great Depression, how she was the third in her family to graduate college, and of course, how she met Grampa Clark.

Yes, I know—I am having way too much fun with this essay!

You know, if you ever want to meet a real celebrity, I suggest you meet Vivian Jewel Jones… and I’m not saying that just because she’s my grandmother—I’m saying it because she really is a larger-than-life celebrity to me.

Well, I gotta go finish up this here final essay. Holla!

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha

What Makes My Hometown So Great

Hi, Everyone!

So, I turned in my five hundred-word essay on what makes my hometown so great. I had been working on it all weekend, and hopefully my professor will like it.

The biggest challenge for my hometown essay was making sure that it stayed within the requirements. I explained to my professor that I have a tendency to write more than expected, to which he told me that the five hundred words was the minimum requirement. I’m so glad he said that because according to my calculations, I had 779 words—and this is not counting “I”, “a”, “an,” and “the.”

I hope my professor sees the effort I made into answering the question as to why I feel that L.A. is a great place to live. I provided as much information as I could in my argument. You see, Los Angeles is great for so many reasons. There’s the Griffith Park Observatory, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Santa Monica Pier, and of course, the world famous Hollywood sign, which stands majestically across Mt. Lee. I also pointed out the true appreciation that I have for my hometown, especially since I am currently residing in Holly Springs, Mississippi. I guess Ruby was right when she told me that I was just homesick, but she did point out that I have shown a true appreciation for Southern California—and believe me when I tell you: when I return for the Christmas vacation, I’m gonna take advantage of my time wisely.

Well, that’s all the news that I have today. There really wasn’t much news to report today, folks. However, with so much going on in my college life and around the world, you can best believe that I’ll be providing you all with as many updates as I possibly can.

Until next time, take it light.

Hugs & Kisses,

Natasha