The Things she Carries

The girl walked with a confident yet relaxed gait hindered only slightly by her rucksack which was rugged and worn. She was dressed in neatly ironed black linen pants and a crisp white blouse. She was wandering around the ancient Egyptians temples at Luxor. The expression she wore was one of immense enjoyment. Anyone who saw her would be in no doubt that she was completely engrossed in exploring the temples. She would flit from one carved pillar to the next tracing the hieroglyphs with the tip of her finger. She wondered what they meant. She knew some of them but not enough to understand. She was always trying to understand. She decided to sit and find her hieroglyphic dictionary, and try and translate the pictograms. She sat with her back against one of the huge pillars with her rucksack on her lap facing her. She opened it and began to search for the little book.  She sifted through the many things in her bag for several seconds without success. Growing frustrated she began taking everything out and setting them on the sandstone floor beside her.  

First she pulled out a half full water canteen, taking a sip be for setting it aside. The canteen was green tinted stainless steel. It clinked on the stone as she put it down. Next she drew out a wide brimmed straw hat she had been wearing earlier. It had become too cumbersome to continue wearing because she was constantly looking up to tops of the temples and the hat kept falling off, so she grew frustrated again and stuffed it into her bag. She pulled out her note book and her favorite pen. The pen was a little sculpture of the Egyptian cat goddess Bastet. It was nothing terribly special; she purchased it at Universal Studios when she was fifteen, but to her it meant a lot. Rummaging deeper she pulled out a sandstone rock she had picked up while exploring earlier today, and set it next to her as well. Ever since she was little she had always picked up rocks and pebbles where ever she went. It was one of the ways she remembered where she had been. Then she drew out a guidebook to Egypt putting it next to the rock. The book contained useful Arabic phrases, sightseeing destinations, and other helpful things of that nature. The binding was creased and several pages were dog-eared. It was evident it had been used quite a bit. She was getting close to the bottom now and was growing worried she had left the book somewhere. She searched the outside pockets finding only her travelers checks, her passport, her phone, some aspirin, a photo of her family, and a bottle of sun block. Now becoming a little frantic she stuck her hand in the bag down to the bottom feeling the change of clothes she had placed there to cushion the other things. She also felt something hard between her shirt and pants and was relieved to find the book that she had been searching for. It had been a gift from her parents and sister. They had given it to her the day she left for her trip. The book was leather bound with gold embossing on the cover. It said “Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs.” It was no ordinary book it had been specially hand made by a book binder. The pages were printed but they had been rebound in leather on a costume order. It was one of her prized possession, and that was why she had gently placed it between her clothes that morning. When she had repacked all her things she stood up and once again started exploring the Ancient Egyptian Temples. 

In the Future

This next story was a writing prompt given to my English class. Below is the actual prompt.

If all your dreams and plans come true, where will you be and what will you be doing in ten year's time? In one to two pages, describe or explain how your life will be. You might choose a creative format for this such as a magazine interview, 1st person or third person narrative.

I won't lie, I am extremely proud of this essay. It is the best school paper I can remember writing. 

Enjoy! 

            I pull up to the car line and park as I do every Monday through Friday at 3:30.  Usually I don’t have long to wait because the first graders finish school before the other grades, but today they are on a field trip to visit an Amish farm out in the countryside of Pennsylvania. My daughter was so excited to be going to a real Amish farm that when the school bus pulled up this morning she pretty much ran down the front path dragging her little pink back pack through the fall leaves.  My little girl. The six years since she has been born have gone by more quickly than I could have imagined.  I can hardly remember a time without her.

            As the rest of the elementary school comes through the doors my mind starts to wander back through the past fifteen years. First I remember the day my daughter was born. It was the second happiest day of my life. A vision of her beautiful little face blurs the car line ahead of me. I look down and am surprised to find that I am not actually holding her in my arms.  Then I think of the best day of my life: my wedding day. Everything was so perfect and beautiful, with my sister as my maid-of-honor, my parents in the front row, and my husband-to-be standing there in his tux. I remember him saying to me after the reception, “Now, where would you like to live? Our lease ends soon and we can go anywhere after that. California, Texas, Minnesota, anywhere.” We had talked about moving somewhere different before but never anything serious. But at that moment when I looked into his eyes I knew he meant every word. “Pennsylvania,” I said. He looked confused so I told him, “I want to live somewhere with seasons. You know how much I love fall, and Pennsylvania is beautiful every season. Also with my sister, Melanie, living in North Carolina, and my parents in Long Island, Pennsylvania seems like good middle ground. Plus the shore isn’t very far away we could take long weekends to the beach.” 

“As you wish,” he said with a smile quoting one of my favorite movies.

            Just thinking about that day makes me shudder with happiness every time. I think back to when we met in college. I was studying to be an actress at the time, and he studying to be a chef. When we first started dating he would cook for me in the tiny dorm kitchen and help me with my lines for class. I laugh aloud to myself in the car. That dream didn’t come true. At the present I’m at stay at home mom and my husband is fulfilling his dream of owning and being head chef of his very successful restaurant that is paying all of our bills. Of course I have other dream jobs several in fact, but that’s the problem. Which one takes top spot? Which one do I go back to school for? Egyptologist or writer?  I still have no idea, but I have time to choose while we save up the money. The other problem is that the two career paths are so different there isn’t much to do to combine them.

            A rap on my window startles me back to the here and now. It’s my daughter’s teacher holding my daughter herself by the hand. My little girl looks as though she’s about to burst with anticipation. I quickly jump out and walk around the back of our black Subaru Tribeca. As soon as I come into sight my daughter starts jumping up and down saying, “Mommy! Mommy! Guess what? Guess what I saw today?” Hurriedly I thank her teacher for bringing her out to me. Carefully I remove her back-pack and help her into her car seat. She is chattering the whole time about her day at the farm. I know she will continue all though the car ride and the play-by play of her day will start all over again as soon as her father gets home, but I don’t mind one bit. I love hearing about her day.

When we pull into our driveway she is describing the barn cats she saw, and again she asks if we can adopt one of the kittens our neighbor’s cat had. “Well, Daddy and I will have to discuss that some more. Remember what happened to Mr. Fishy?” She is silent for a moment then says thoughtfully, “I think having a pet that’s fluffy will remind me to feed it.” I laugh and we head inside to escape the chilly autumn breeze. Suddenly I am overcome the greatest sense of contentment I have ever felt in my entire life. And even though my career path is uncertain I know that with my family with me I will be able to accomplish anything that life throws my way. I will indeed be able to make lemons into lemonade, or rather apples in to apple cider just like the Amish my daughter so adores.                          

  

Part one: Into the light

This is the first part of a story (possibly a book?) I have been writing for almost a year now

Enjoy!

"Hurry up Vandir! We haven't time to waste! The gate will close soon! And the Queen must know of the prophecy!" said Fanira. "I know, I know. Just a few more minutes," he replied. As soon as it had begun to get dark Vandir had started clearing the campsite. They had spent the entire day hidden in a thicket a few yards from the shoreline. Surrounding the Lake was golden forest and surrounding that were towering snow-capped mountains.

The brother and sister had spent the entire day hidden in the weeping willows near the glittering lake.  They did not want anyone to know of their mission.  They had seen many creatures that day, and they even spotted some humans, which was rare.  Mostly the pair had seen their own kind gathering supplies for the coming winter. The day had been clear, but dark clouds crouched behind the golden mountains promising foul weather.

As night was falling Fanira grabbed her worn wooden bow and quiver and slung them over her shoulder, along with her pack. Vandir checked his sword belt then donned his pack as well.   A sense of urgency quickened their pace.   Cool evening air rushed around them for night had completely fallen by now.  Fanira breathed in the breeze recognizing the familiar scent of the Willow Woods.  As they left the Wood behind the yellowing grass began to thin out and their feet crunched on sandy pebbles. They waded directly into the chilly water, but the water did not wet their leggings.  Instead if felt as if their shins and feet were caught in the icy breath of winter. 

Vandir bent down sliding his hand in the water and picked up an apple-sized stone. The pair continued wading, however they did not ventured deeper into the lake. By this time their legs were quite cold.  As they walked a faint square of light appeared through the water, flicking unpredictable patterns around pebbly lakebed. They immediately headed for the square, and as they drew nearer the light increased. When they reached the spot Vandir lifted the stone above his head and dropped it. The stone plummeted into the cold water and splashed up a fountain of water. The brother and sister flinched, although they remained dry.  The stone thumped onto the middle of the square and created a muffled knocking sound.  Immediately a square of the ground vanished letting a ray of light shoot up blinding them.  Once their eyes had adjusted they saw a wooden staircase. In single file the stepped on to the steps and all coldness was obliterated.   For now the danger had passed, all the need do next was head to the Palace and warn the queen.  Or they would all be in more danger then ever.      

Chased

I wanted to write something that is very different then what I usually, and I think I manged it.
 

       The muffled sound of a twig cracking under rotting jungle undergrowth alerts me to another presence. And again.  The sound is coming nearer. My breath quickens. Within seconds I have analyzed my options: stay and hope it passes or run for my life. Crack. As quickly as the sound came my decision was made. Before the thing can come any closer I bolt from my hiding place.  Emerald foliage flashes before me as I sprint between thick tree trunks. Heavy foot falls pound behind me as I run in a panicked frenzy. As I run I weave between the rough tree trunks listening with all my might for the sound that the unseen creature is gaining. The predator’s gait begins to get closer and closer. And all the while my muscles begin to burn for the exertion. I know I have to keep going but I don’t know how much longer I can keep running. A flash of sun light shoots down from the thick canopy and temporarily blinds me causing me to stumble over a protruding tree root. For a moment I’m down in the leaves and mud and the next I’m up and running again. But any advantage I had at the start of the race for my life is now gone and I can hear the beast drawing nearer. Then all of a sudden I hear the animal leap into the braches and the foot falls stop…. Hesitantly I slow my fevered pace; all senses alert. The only sounds that can be heard are the normal calls of the jungle animals, the parrot’s and monkey’s calls competing for dominance. Panic and fear spread through my heart like icy poison. A rustling of giant leaves is the only warning I get before a large black form launches itself from the trees above and lands on me. Blackness.               

My Pretend Trip to Egypt.

This was an essay I has to write for English. I have never actually been to Egypt, but,I have always wanted to. This paper displays my fascination with this amazing country! 

                  Snow storms are a traveler’s worst nightmare. Air plane wings iced over, runways slick and slippery, heavy snow blotting out the word beyond your tiny window. As I sit in my plane seat  praying to all gods known and unknown that we will be able to take off, the intercom in the plane dings on and the pilot says, “The runway has been cleared and the snow is stopping, please fasten your seat belts and within several hours we will be arriving in Cairo international airport.” I lean my head back on the seat which starts to vibrate slightly as the engine turns on and sigh. Soon I’ll be out of this infuriating winter weather, and into the heat and sun of Egypt. 

                Several annoying hours later we were in rotation to land in my favorite country which took yet another hour. Finally I was off the plane, out of the airport, and loading my luggage (which had thankfully arrived without delay) into a waiting taxi. Sitting in the twenty-year-old taxi rattling along to the Pharaoh’s Hotel, I think of the first part of my day and how it had affected my mood for the worse. Then in my mind’s eye I see the Sphinx and the Pyramids at Giza and I put my trip in the “bad experience file” in my mind and shove the draw closed, and promise myself not to open it again while I’m here.

                My cab driver stopped in front of a small but charming hotel and told me how much the fair was. I paid, got my bag, and went inside to check-in.  The hotel was beautiful.  There were miniature palms in secluded corners, brown leather couches, mahogany tables with gold and turquoise vases artfully arranged with blue water lilies the color of a cloudless sky, and in silver vases inlaid with lapis lazuli inlaid were pink lotuses.  I loved it at once. When I opened the door to my suite I nearly dropped my suit case. The room was obviously designed in the same style as the lobby but this was different.  It was as if the designer had been to the ancient Palace of Thebes and tried to replicate its decor.  I was very nearly in heaven, but then I saw out the window and this time I did drop my luggage with a gasp.  I had a spectacular view up the Nile towards the Pyramids. The sacred river was lined with waving flowers and papyrus reeds.  I could almost see Queen Cleopatra in her royal barge heading down the great river. Immediately I knew this was going to be one of the best vacations I had ever had!

                The next morning dawned sunny and warm, quite different from the climate I had left the day before.  The hotel had arranged for a bus to take guests to the Valley of the Kings that day so I decided to go along.  I packed the backpack I had brought with some things like money and snacks, put on some sturdy clothes, laced up my boots, headed out front to meet the bus.  As it later turned out the bus hadn’t been serviced in two years so it broke down half way there.  Luckily the driver had a phone and was able to call a replacement.  While we waited the driver told us a little bit of the history of the Valley (most of which I already knew).  Finally the bus arrived and we were on our way again.  Exploring the Pharaoh’s ancient burial grounds was fantastic!   It’s a shame Nefertiti’s tomb hasn’t been discovered yet I would have loved to have seen that, but it was still an interesting day. 

Back at the hotel I decided to go to the restaurant for dinner.  I ordered fish grilled with honey and a salad made from fresh peas and beans.  It was delicious!  That night I slept like a queen, and awoke the next to find the sky as clear as it was the day before.  However today I decided to go to the national Egyptology museum down town.  I phoned to the front desk and asked if they could call me a cab, they said yes and that they would let me know when it arrived.  Twenty minutes later the phone in my room rang and someone from the desk informed me that my cab was waiting.  The taxi took me all the way to the museum.  There were several cafes nearby so I got breakfast first.  Then I bought a ticket for the exhibition and entered a world full of the culture and traditions of ancient Egypt. 

The next day I decide to see the Sphinx and the Pyramids, but first I had breakfast at the hotel.  The bus that had escorted me to the Valley of the Kings on my first full  day was to again take us to Khafra’s great Sphinx and Khufu’s immense Pyramids.  It was fairly warm that day so we rode with the windows open to allow the desert breeze to float in. Within thirty minutes we arrived at Giza. I won’t spoil it for you, but it was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. The crumbling limestone beast and the staggeringly large Pyramids are breath-taking.  We stayed there till noon then returned on the bus, and this time the fifteen or so of us that were on the bus were relatively quite; we were all contemplating the man power, ingenuity, and time that the people of long ago had used to create such gigantic monuments.  Later that evening I pack my things back up into my suit case and called the front desk and asked for a seven ‘o’clock wake –up the next morning.  I was very disappointed to be leaving the amazing country filled with so much history, but I was beginning to miss my family. 

The plane flight back was uneventful. All the while I was dreading returning to the cold, but all those thoughts vanished from my mind when I saw my family waiting for me; it was a very happy reunion.  This was a trip I would never ever forget.  And so ended my wonderful trip the Black Land.   

Prairie Morning

The smell of parched grass and sun-baked earth wafted on a cool spring breeze in to her nose.  It was warm but not hot, the kind of warmth that makes one extremely drowsy.  Her light linen gown fluttered in the breeze and tangled with the golden knee-high grass. She looked up towards the horizon. The golden plain stretched for miles and miles in every direction. At the distant edge she could just make out a faint line of oak trees and then the immense blue sky that filled out all other space.  She sighed quietly adding her breath to the breath of the prairie. She padded forward and began walking among the whispering plants on bare feet marveling at the warm, soft dirt beneath her. As she went she startled the little birds and baby rabbits out of hiding. She laughed quietly and felt as though she could never be happier.

If her mother had been there she would have told her to put her bonnet back on because as her mother said, “The sun is both a curse and a blessing! Too much sun and you’ll get those horrible freckles your cousin Annie has, poor dear.” But she despised bonnets. She loved to feel the wind in her hair and the warm fingers of the sun on her face. And anyway her mother wasn’t here to tell her what to do anymore. She could do whatever she wanted. She could run through the fields with no shoes or stockings, especially no stockings. She could keep one or two of the fluffy brown rabbits if she wanted.  The world was hers!

She stopped walking and started to spin in circles laughing loudly. When she stopped she was facing the opposite direction she had been walking in towards the little log cabin where she lived. She was not entirely alone though. He was here too. There was no one else in the world who made her as happy as he did and just the thought of him returning that afternoon from the town over the hills made her laugh again. She twirled once more then leapt forward and dashed back to their golden home where everything was perfect and he would be back soon and they would be together again.

“Love,” she thought, “is amazing.”