Karla Talavera

ENG 100, CRN 35037

05 June 2006

FD1

 

Beauty in a Hippopotamus

 

The pastel green hippopotamus toy with black oval eyes peeks out from under the quilted covers.  Loving wear and tear has made the black threaded mouth disappear from its oblong face, but I can still visualize the cute half-smile smirk curling up at me from memory.  Limp limbs with pink on the ends dangle at its sides. The limpness is caused by the frequent washings that make the once plump stuffing bunch up haphazardly all over its body.  A slight scent of flowery fabric softener hangs gently in the air like the smell of plumeria from an airport lei stand.  Janie, my three-year-old daughter, clutches it loosely as she sleeps.  [THESIS]  The beauty I see in Janie has a direct connection to the beautiful relationship she shares with an extraordinary hippopotamus.  [THESIS]

 

The hippopotamus was a baby gift from a mainland acquaintance when Janie was four months old.  At first, the toy merely existed to take up space in her already crowded crib.  All that changed when Janie turned one and affectionately named him “Po.” 

 

Janie greets the morning and trudges down a series of beige carpeted stairs to a landing and then bumps down another eight steps to enter the toy laden family room.  Her eyes, puffy from restful sleep, are half-opened as she carries Po in her one-handed grasp while letting his two hind feet drag sloppily along the floor.  Janie’s distinctive morning breath fills my nostrils as she plants a wet slobbery kiss on my cheek and makes sure that Po receives the same.

 

A routine visit to the green and yellow potty chair means that Po has to sit patiently on the bathroom’s white and gray vinyl flooring until Janie washes her hands, dries them clumsily on the embroidered towel, and shouts, “I’m done! Come on, Po!” A typical breakfast of pancakes, sliced peaches, and cold milk in a sipper cup has Po sitting next to Janie at the speckled taupe Corian counter while she eats.  Maple syrup messily outlines her rosy lips and manages to help tangle her long black hair a little more.  Sticky hands from dipping fingers into the syrup just to lick them off result in Po sharing the stickiness and getting a little of Aunt Jemima’s “cologne” on his furry covering.

 

Next, Janie invites Po to a princess tea party complete with a white plastic, three-tiered slice of cake and a plastic donut glazed with pink icing.  Sparkling tiaras, bejeweled rings, feather boas, necklaces of various colors and lengths along with arms full of bracelets serve as proper party adornment for the twosome.  A princess wand for each adds the magical touch, and the party officially begins.  Other animal friends gather around, but Po has the place of honor next to Janie in the circle on the dark green throw rug.   Janie, looking straight into his eyes, speaks kindly, asking, “Po, would you like some sugar? What else would you like?” 

 

The tea party abruptly ends and is immediately followed by Play-doh time outside on the covered lanai.  A red, black, and yellow plaid vinyl mat is laid out, and a portable bed tray is placed on top to display the creative culinary masterpieces that can be eaten only with pretend chewing.  Once again, Po is the compliant friend and passive participant in this endeavor.  He observes Janie rolling out the moist and supple pink and blue dough and cutting out multiple cookie shapes of stars, circles, trees, and elephants.  Hushed and whispered dialogue between them is not intended for my ears.  Colorful crumbs of dough are scattered on the mat when Janie announces, “Clean up time! Let’s go take a nap, Po.”

 

The odd couple makes another visit to the hallway bathroom for potty use and a quick washing of hands and feet.  A fast trip to the kitchen for a cool sip of water, and then up the stairs they ascend.  As Janie holds Po with one hand, her quirky movements show the telltale signs of drowsiness.  In bed, underneath the covers with Po, she babbles on and kisses us both before falling asleep.  I watch and listen to Janie’s light rhythmic breathing and revel in the awe of the wonderful little person she is becoming.  I owe my gratitude to Po for bringing out the best in her.

 

The beauty and essence of unconditional love is the ability to love someone or something and not expect anything in return.  A parent’s love for a child is unconditional.  No matter what trouble the child is in, a parent forgives easily as if the trouble never happened.  The story of the prodigal son comes to mind when I ponder the meaning of unconditional love.  After a son’s long absence and reckless squandering of his inheritance, the father welcomes him back with open arms as if nothing happened. The father is full of joy just to have his son back home.

 

As a parent, I only fully understood the deep mystery of unconditional love after my second child, Janie, was born.  I conceived her after years of infertility, numerous doctors’ visits and medical tests, and much heartache.  With a heart softened by triumph through suffering, I try to recognize beauty in the simple loving moments of life.  There is great pleasure in observing unconditional love when Janie interacts with Po or when she runs up to her older brother to give him a hug and kiss for no reason.  Unconditional love takes no forethought, plan, or real effort; it just happens, and that is what makes it beautiful.

 

 

Peer Comments

 
Marie Ponce
I thought you were so beautifully descriptive that I realized that my
paper is really lacking description.  While reading I could imagine your
home and Janie getting up in the morning with Po, and all her activites
before nap.  Now I'm thinking that my paper is going to get poor reviews
due to the lack of description.  Oh, well, only our first paper, right?
Anyway, I think you met the critical criteria for the assignment.  Great
job!

 

Lyndsey Matsuura
Very good description in your 3 year old daughter's stuffed animal "Po."
I certainly see the relationship between the two and why it is so
beautiful to you. You describe well in detail how your daughter takes
care of Po and explain how they get along with each other. Also I
noticed this showed you how much beauty is in your daughter by watching
your daughter have a friendship with Po. And I realized you ended with
thanking Po...which I thought was neat! Good job! 

 

Lisa Pepple

That was an awesome paper!  Very descriptive.  You did a very good job.  It was cute to read about your daughter's activities with her very first best friend.

 

Karisa Ramolete Hayashi
I loved your paper!
It was very vivdly descriptive!
My favorite part was when you talked about your daughter eating her pancakes and the maple syrup would get tangled in her long black hair... because I could just picture that happening since I babysit my almost four year old nephew all the time.  I also thought it was very creative when you said Po gets some Aunt Jemima cologne.  Overall good job and great first paper! :)

 

 

ENG 100 WebCT Performance Log – Karla Talavera

(Note: note the date of completion in the blank; if completed after the due date, write "late" after the date)

 

Activity      ENG 100                                         Due

5/23 Late [OK]       WebCT: Greetings                         5/22

5/22                 Read syllabus                            5/22

5/15                 Acquire Textbook                         5/22

5/23                 Intro to Paper #1                        5/23

5/24                 WebCT: Open Discussion                   5/23-29

5/25 Late [OK]       WebCT: Topic for Paper #1                5/24

6/5  Late [OK]       WebCT: Respond to Greetings       5/24

5/25                 WebCT: Comment on Topic/Description      5/25

5/26                 Readings                                 5/26

5/29                 WebCT: Submit RD1                        5/30

5/31                 WebCT: Submit RD1 reviews                5/31

6/2                  WebCT: Best Comments/Reviews             6/2

6/5                  WebCT: Submit FD1                        6/5