Ten Things

1.Fears: being alone/lost, losing motivation, disappointment.
I fear of being lost. When I was younger, I was separated from my family. Not in the sense that I was taken by government officials and sent to another family, but I got lost on the train. I was 12 years old and I was with my family going to Queens on the Q train. I recall my mother saying we were going to my godmother’s house and I knew exactly how to get there. As we reached Church Avenue, there was an express train. I was so eager to use my train skills as my mother and sister debated on using the express train. My sister said, “Let’s take it, it’s quicker than this slow train.” My mother replied, “Sure.” Not realizing my mother changed her mind, I jetted out the train doors and rushed to the express train. Both car doors closed and I was separated from my family. I started crying seeing their train go first. Going out from the express train, I wandered hopelessly, trying to figure out what to do to get back to them. The train conductor said, “Stand clear all the closing doors please,” and I rushed to get back on the express train. The express train left the station and as it went by a stop, I saw my sister and mom on the other side. They were mouthing something but I couldn’t hear it. I was a lonely girl, crying to figure out what to do. I stayed on the train until it reached the last stop in Brooklyn, Dekalb Avenue. I walked out and there was a police office that greeted me. Drenched in tears, he asked if I was lost, and I nodded yes. Giving me a packet of tissues, he asked if I could walk with him. I was hesitant since I knew not to go with stranger, but he advised me that he was a real policeman and that he would help me. As we walked, he took me outside. He asked for my name, age, nationality, and address. He wondered how I got lost. After telling him what happened, he walked me back in the station. Miraculously, my family was on the platform, crying hopelessly too. I ran back to my mom, crying and sobbing, and the policeman suddenly knew that it was truly my family. Before he left, he said to me, “Be careful. Listen to your mom.” Then to my mother, “You have a very smart girl who knows her stuff. Don’t lose her again.” My mom replied her thanks and tried to stop her crying. My seven-year-old brother hugged me and we were all united. This memory was one of the few experiences that I was most afraid.

2.Die for: my family, a change.
If anything were to happen to my family, I would risk protecting them. I remember during summer of my sophomore year, my mother had a lung attack. It scared me to the fact that they were growing older and I needed to do my part as a family. The last time I saw my father happened when it was August 10th, 2010. The family had a car trip to Perdue University for my older sister. After seeing how fragile my father had become, I knew that if anything happened to them, I would risk, I would help.


3.Peaceful: sunrise & sunsets, grassy gardens.
I was in 7th grade and it was my first time riding the train alone. I was going to my junior high school at 6:30 AM. Fall was coming to an end as winter slowly began to creep upon New York City. Sitting on the window seat, I noticed the sunrise. It was a gorgeous glow in the sky. In the train, many people were sleeping, listening to their iPods, and talking to their friends in a calm voice. I began to look through the window, letting the sunrise captivate me. As November began to fade into December, I began waking early just to see the sunrise. It brought a sense of peace and energy towards me. As the dark sky began to wake, the sunrise brought a sense of joy and alacrity. With the many colors of a golden orange, bright pastel pink, and a hint of purple and blue, I enjoyed watching nature take its daily course. Ever since then, I would treasure each sunrise I see, letting it bring a joyful attitude.

4.Places I’ve Been: Bali, Tokyo, Malaysia.
I was in Indonesia with my family. It was a four-day trip to Bali and my youngest uncle was bringing along his girlfriend and her family. The previous year all my closest friends went to Bali and I wished to have gone with them. As we rode the airplane, it was a scary experience. As I boarded the plane, it had bad turbulence and the service was terrible. People were eating Popmie, Indonesian style cup noodles, and my sister and I were praying, hoping the plane ride would be quick. The first night in Bali was fun. We walked around the city and took pictures. Since the religion Hinduism was most practiced in Bali, there were many lotuses placed in front of shops and stores filled with water and sweet treats. Accidentally stepping on one, I realized it was a way to greeting the gods and respecting them. During the second day was the best. There was a section in Kuta beach for para sailing, banana boat, and jet-skiing. Even though it was just my uncle, siblings, and I, it was joyful. As the driver began to tip the banana boat, we had to try our hardest to stay on, resulting in all of us being in the water. My mother refused to go para sailing, afraid of heights, but took hilarious pictures of us para sailing. On our last day, we went to one of the best seafood restaurants my friends recommended. It was located on Kuta beach. We were able to eat outside and it was a perfect sunny day. The sand was a nice shade of nude. It was around 6:00 PM and the sun was setting. As our food was being served, there was a comforting aroma of spices and sweetness. Large plates of red snapper, shrimp, boiled eggs, and rice amazed our eyes. Having one of the largest groups, we were eating and enjoying the atmosphere at the same time. It was one of the best places I would love to go visit again.

5.Favorite Past Teachers: Dr. Miller, Ms. Lagezza.
He was my Earth Science teacher. I remember meeting him the first time in junior high school. He was skinny, tall, and always moving. Every morning he would ask the time for sunrise and sunset, but would result in being disappointed because no one would know it. One day, before we were all getting dismissed to go to lunch, he told the whole class, “Where you go in high school doesn’t matter. What matters most is college.” He would encourage everyone to do well, but to just work your hardest.