1. In reading Joan Didion’s “On Keeping a notebook”, I was surprised by how enjoyable the essay was. I used to think that diaries, notebooks, and journals were kept by people who thought it was just for fun or people who didn’t have anything better to do with their time. I realized that there are many different reasons why someone would want to document certain events in their life. As for Didion, she wanted to document her life so she could keep in touch with the person that she was at different points in her life. Didion reflects on moments in her life and says, "It is a good idea, then, to keep in touch, and I suppose that keeping in touch is what notebooks are all about." She used her notebook to record things she saw around her that she felt that was important to her. People these days don't use a diary or a notebook but instead it is replaced by technology such as computers and phones that could be used for social networks like Twitter, Facebook, and Snapchat.
2. Throughout the short story, I can feel a connection to Didion. Although, I do not write in a journal each day, but I do partake in updating my social media accounts such as posting a status on Facebook. I use these social networks on a daily throughout the day. It is something I can do when I am bored and it is entertainment for me. I feel like this could be considered my journal. I think if you participate in any type of social media, you're basically keeping a diary of your life experiences. This type of self-expression is just a different way to articulate your feelings.
3. I feel like the many unanswerable questions strengthens her work by leaving the reader very confused with not knowing her next move. In a way, it helps us dig more deeper to find out what she is getting into because in most cases you really do not know what is about to happen but in a way it makes you want to read more and it makes the story more interesting. It leaves the reader kind of confused with a mysterious thought. In the conclusion, the author mentions in the last few paragraphs that notes are to help oneself keep in touch with everything in the past and the present. I suppose that keeping in touch is what notebooks are all about.
