Prologue
Purpose:Compose a multimodal narrative inspired by a selection of tweets and/or pictures that showcase your connection/lack of a connection with a specific place.
My Twitterive is a creative-non fiction piece about the Outer Banks; specifically Buxton. This is my place, I've gone on vacation here for the past 22 years. It started as a tradition in 1970 with my mom and her six cousins and their family. Since then we've all managed to go down the first week in August and rent out a street with five-seven units/houses. Every summer I look forward to my trip to O.B.X. and spending time with my family. This is a place I consider my "second home". It's shaped me into the person I am, and has allowed me to experience so many great memories down there. My repetend is using my inspired tweets as subheads.
Dear Outer Banks,
I know once the weather begins to warm up your not that far from my reach. When I’m in school I daydream of being on your beautiful beach with a nice cold drink in my hand. I go to you to find my serenity. I know at times it can become a little hectic down there with all fifty of us running around from house to house, but that is what I look forward to most. You have created a place for my family to collect memories that will last a lifetime. None of my friends will ever understand what you mean to me. I try to tell them about how wonderful you are, but they think it's “boring” because there’s no board walk down there. I’ve come to realize that I don’t mind if they don’t get to experience all you have to offer; it can just be a bond I get to share with my family. I count down the days until I pull up to Aramore Drive and unpack my belongings in the Shell Castle. There’s only five more months until we meet again, in the meantime I’ll continue to look over my pictures and reminisce.
Love Always,
Christie
My Twitterive is a creative-non fiction piece about the Outer Banks; specifically Buxton. This is my place, I've gone on vacation here for the past 22 years. It started as a tradition in 1970 with my mom and her six cousins and their family. Since then we've all managed to go down the first week in August and rent out a street with five-seven units/houses. Every summer I look forward to my trip to O.B.X. and spending time with my family. This is a place I consider my "second home". It's shaped me into the person I am, and has allowed me to experience so many great memories down there. My repetend is using my inspired tweets as subheads.
Dear Outer Banks,
I know once the weather begins to warm up your not that far from my reach. When I’m in school I daydream of being on your beautiful beach with a nice cold drink in my hand. I go to you to find my serenity. I know at times it can become a little hectic down there with all fifty of us running around from house to house, but that is what I look forward to most. You have created a place for my family to collect memories that will last a lifetime. None of my friends will ever understand what you mean to me. I try to tell them about how wonderful you are, but they think it's “boring” because there’s no board walk down there. I’ve come to realize that I don’t mind if they don’t get to experience all you have to offer; it can just be a bond I get to share with my family. I count down the days until I pull up to Aramore Drive and unpack my belongings in the Shell Castle. There’s only five more months until we meet again, in the meantime I’ll continue to look over my pictures and reminisce.
Love Always,
Christie
61 degrees in Buxton today. Wish I was on the beach instead of stressing over school work.
The video above is my second year being down Buxton. As you can see I've always enjoyed the beach and being around my family.
The 8 hour drive I look forward to every year.
Of course we have to play Raise Up in the car on the way down.
wish I was outside enjoying this beautiful weather.
Things we do in O.B.X
1.Have a bonFire
2.SoAk up the sun
3.Have breakfast at DiaMond Shoals.
4.Play In the ocean for hours.
5.Paddle baLl and ladder ball competitions.
6.Pot luck dinner on ThursdaY.
7.Walk to Uncle Eddies To get ice-cream.
8.Play an Intense game of catch phrase.
9.Enjoy each other’s coMpany.
10.CelebratE six August birthdays.
Looking up houses for memorial day in OBX-Daydreaming I'm on the beach with an ice cold beer
When you look at your life,
the greatest happinesses
are family happinesses.
the greatest happinesses
are family happinesses.
Less than six months until the greatest vacation of the year. #thinkingpositively
Daily Schedule
-Wake up at 9AM
-Change directly into bathing suit
-Eat Breakfast
-Straight to beach to get a tan on
-Lunch break
-Afternoon session at beach
-Outdoor shower
-Have dinner with family
- Sunset on the beach
-Crack open my first beer
-Enjoy my night and start all over again tomorrow
-Change directly into bathing suit
-Eat Breakfast
-Straight to beach to get a tan on
-Lunch break
-Afternoon session at beach
-Outdoor shower
-Have dinner with family
- Sunset on the beach
-Crack open my first beer
-Enjoy my night and start all over again tomorrow
Looking through summer pictures, missing my tan and the beach.
anytime I smell wood burning it reminds me of our #Buxton bonfires
Found Poem
Perfect conditions
to begin a Buxton bonfire.
I’m excited to smell the wood burning.
Reminds me of my younger years on the beach.
I enjoy feeling the warm fire,
and walking outside in this beautiful weather.
The fire is making me so sleepy.
Hopefully I get to bed at a decent hour.
Recipe for a good bonfire
- 3 shovels -3 people
-4 stacks of firewood-bottle of lighter fluid
-bag of marshmallows-box of graham crackers
-pack of hershey bars -4 sticks-1 flashlight
-12 beach chairs-beverages
-Uncle Dave singing kumbaya
First you need to make sure everyone knows tonight is a bonfire night. Then you have to start the fire around 7:30 so all of the younger cousins are able to attend. Make sure all the kids have the ingredients available to make smores. The kids also make smores for the older adults. Use the flashlight to chase ghost crabs, but make sure they steer clear of the fire. Start singing some songs with Uncle Dave as the lead. Finally, converse with one another over drinks about how great the vacation is going.
to begin a Buxton bonfire.
I’m excited to smell the wood burning.
Reminds me of my younger years on the beach.
I enjoy feeling the warm fire,
and walking outside in this beautiful weather.
The fire is making me so sleepy.
Hopefully I get to bed at a decent hour.
Recipe for a good bonfire
- 3 shovels -3 people
-4 stacks of firewood-bottle of lighter fluid
-bag of marshmallows-box of graham crackers
-pack of hershey bars -4 sticks-1 flashlight
-12 beach chairs-beverages
-Uncle Dave singing kumbaya
First you need to make sure everyone knows tonight is a bonfire night. Then you have to start the fire around 7:30 so all of the younger cousins are able to attend. Make sure all the kids have the ingredients available to make smores. The kids also make smores for the older adults. Use the flashlight to chase ghost crabs, but make sure they steer clear of the fire. Start singing some songs with Uncle Dave as the lead. Finally, converse with one another over drinks about how great the vacation is going.
Everytime I hear #paradisebythedashboardlight I imagine dancing around my aunts kitchen with my family
Apple Uglies and Double Dip Donuts
9A.M on a Tuesday morning in our house.
Me: TJ come on we have got to get up, my Aunt Sandy brought over a few Double Dips and Apple Uglies.
TJ: I don’t see what the big deal is with your family and those donuts. I mean they’re good and all, but you guys fight to the death over them.
Me: Well then I guess you won’t be having any of my Double Dip. Hope you enjoy your Cheerios for breakfast.
Upstairs is my parents and the McManus’ family.
Me: Mom where are the Double Dips that Aunt Sandy brought over?
Mom: There is only one left. The Lew’s came over this morning and grabbed three for their house. You better eat it quick or your sister will have a fit.
Sam: Did I hear you say there is only ONE Double Dip left?
Me: I was up first I get to eat it! Plus you had one earlier in the week and I missed out.
Sam: No way, at least split it with me.
Me: Too bad I just licked all the frosting off. Better luck next time.
Me: TJ come on we have got to get up, my Aunt Sandy brought over a few Double Dips and Apple Uglies.
TJ: I don’t see what the big deal is with your family and those donuts. I mean they’re good and all, but you guys fight to the death over them.
Me: Well then I guess you won’t be having any of my Double Dip. Hope you enjoy your Cheerios for breakfast.
Upstairs is my parents and the McManus’ family.
Me: Mom where are the Double Dips that Aunt Sandy brought over?
Mom: There is only one left. The Lew’s came over this morning and grabbed three for their house. You better eat it quick or your sister will have a fit.
Sam: Did I hear you say there is only ONE Double Dip left?
Me: I was up first I get to eat it! Plus you had one earlier in the week and I missed out.
Sam: No way, at least split it with me.
Me: Too bad I just licked all the frosting off. Better luck next time.
Family time in NYC for #Thanksgiving, might be one of my favorite holidays!
Dear Journal,
I was so lucky to attend the celebration of 40 years vacationing in Buxton. My granddad and his brother loaded up all of their kids in a station wagon with 2 dogs for the 8 hour drive. Over the years our family has grown, and we have made this place our “home”. My Aunt Sandy had t-shirt made for all 46 of us that say “40 years boogying in Buxton.” I still wear my shirt to bed at least once a week. I loved how Light House View had a banner made for us all to see as we pulled up to Aramore Drive. It was very welcoming and I’m glad they appreciate our loyalty to staying with them. It was great that my aunt hired a photographer to capture group photos of us and individual photos of our families. I will always cherish the family photo of us on the beach. The dinner at The Inn at Palmmlco Sound was great. Too bad Erin was sick and couldn’t be there to listen to Grandad’s amazing speech. Hearing him talk about the tight bond our family has brought tears to my eye as well as many others. He started this tradition and he hopes it continues for many, many years to come. I told him that if I have any say we will never go a year without visiting Buxton. I even told them I plan on getting married down here at the same church my twin cousins were baptized at. It seems our family will always have a reason to visit this wonderful place.
I was so lucky to attend the celebration of 40 years vacationing in Buxton. My granddad and his brother loaded up all of their kids in a station wagon with 2 dogs for the 8 hour drive. Over the years our family has grown, and we have made this place our “home”. My Aunt Sandy had t-shirt made for all 46 of us that say “40 years boogying in Buxton.” I still wear my shirt to bed at least once a week. I loved how Light House View had a banner made for us all to see as we pulled up to Aramore Drive. It was very welcoming and I’m glad they appreciate our loyalty to staying with them. It was great that my aunt hired a photographer to capture group photos of us and individual photos of our families. I will always cherish the family photo of us on the beach. The dinner at The Inn at Palmmlco Sound was great. Too bad Erin was sick and couldn’t be there to listen to Grandad’s amazing speech. Hearing him talk about the tight bond our family has brought tears to my eye as well as many others. He started this tradition and he hopes it continues for many, many years to come. I told him that if I have any say we will never go a year without visiting Buxton. I even told them I plan on getting married down here at the same church my twin cousins were baptized at. It seems our family will always have a reason to visit this wonderful place.
Granddads’ speech began just as the sun was setting over the bay. He poured his heart into his speech, walking us through his journey in life; including the ups and the downs. His speech began by describing the living conditions of his early life, moving from place to place, and very little amenities that the current generation would consider essential. To graduate with his senior class he spent the final 8 weeks of high school living alone. I was shocked to hear him tell us he hitchhiked to Albuquerque , New Mexico. I knew he was a brave man, but that gave me a whole new level of respect for him. He went on to tell his story of joining the Navy for 2 years in 1953 and meeting his wife Ruth Fitzgerald at a YMCA dance. The way he talked about Nana Ruth you could truly see the love he had for her. They married in Boston with my grandparents as their witness. They moved to Norfolk, Virginia where my Uncle Dave was born. He said that was the only positive aspect from their move. They decided to move back to Massachusetts in 1957 then to Maryland for his career, and eventually settling down in New Jersey. He spoke proudly about welcoming another daughter into his family, his niece Dee, which is my mom. I felt so grateful at that very moment for him embracing my mom into his family and treating us like we are his own.
He discussed how life proceeded through his children’s high school and college years then welcoming marriages and grandchildren. Life doesn’t always go as planned and I could see my granddad, starting to choke up before the words even left his mouth, “Tragedy struck in 1986 when Ruthie was diagnosed with cancer.” Hearing him speak about losing his wife left all of us with tears in our eyes. He tried to lighten the mood, “Ryan Thomas , one of the grandkids often says,” she’s up in heaven now.” I remember sitting there drinking my water trying to keep myself together. I never had the pleasure of meeting Nana Ruth, but from the stories I heard she was a remarkable woman. On a lighter note, he summed up his speech saying it was a rag to riches story. “The early years of our life was truly rags, look around you, you are ALL witness to the riches you have brought to our life. Thank You.”
He discussed how life proceeded through his children’s high school and college years then welcoming marriages and grandchildren. Life doesn’t always go as planned and I could see my granddad, starting to choke up before the words even left his mouth, “Tragedy struck in 1986 when Ruthie was diagnosed with cancer.” Hearing him speak about losing his wife left all of us with tears in our eyes. He tried to lighten the mood, “Ryan Thomas , one of the grandkids often says,” she’s up in heaven now.” I remember sitting there drinking my water trying to keep myself together. I never had the pleasure of meeting Nana Ruth, but from the stories I heard she was a remarkable woman. On a lighter note, he summed up his speech saying it was a rag to riches story. “The early years of our life was truly rags, look around you, you are ALL witness to the riches you have brought to our life. Thank You.”