As I dragged my suitcase across the walkway, I knew it was only a short time before I would board my plane for Florida. Disney World is known for fun rides, and I was ready to enjoy my Spring vacation. I was only seven, and this was my first big trip ever with my family. My mom had a long itinerary of rid, parks, and maps, ready to embark on this exciting journey. The plane ride was American Airlines, and the flight was only 2 hours. After landing, we searched for the Mickey Tourbus, and as we grabbed seats, there were small TV screens explaining some of the rides in the kingdom. I could not wait to start. 

My family stopped before Disney’s Grand Floridian, a Victorian-style residence. I walked into the lounge and met some dressed-up men who took our luggage. The cathedral ceiling full of chandeliers and curvy staircases matched the classic Victorian luxury, a hotel that seemed like a scene from a European castle. This structure was thought of in the 1960s, and the construction itself did not pick up speed until the 1980s. The concept was a luxury resort with amenities located by the lagoon of water. Interestingly, this design stems from the collection of various exotic hotels throughout the country, like Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego and the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Our room was on the outside buildings, facing a swimming pool. There was a nice balcony overlooking the waters next to the Magic Kingdom. As I unpacked my bags, I looked over the itinerary; first stop Animal Kingdom.

The Animal Kingdom was so large, and I got to sit on a bus and go to the Kilimanjaro Safari. The size of the safari is over 110 acres, more significant than any other attraction in Disney. I watched lions, elephants, and zebras roam in the wild habitat there. After the ride, I saw a movie on the Life of a Bug. The large tree that overlooks Animal Kingdom is ornate with many twisted branches. I saw a busy parade with acrobats and singers pass through as I ate my ice cream cone. Interestingly, the rocks that the lions rest on are air-conditioned to tempt them to sit on the rock, exposing themselves to visitors. Interestingly, the animals respond to different sounds, and this classical conditioning probably helps the drivers encourage animals to be more active during the safaris. 

The next stop was my favorite, the Magic Kingdom. Taking the train, I went through every park here. The World of Tomorrow was interesting, but the rides were old and outdated. I liked the Dumbo ride, and my favorite roller coaster was Thunderback Mountain. The roller coaster started slow until it reached a peak, hidden between props of mountains, before rushing down into the curves and speeding to a turn. The mountain goats and cactus tree matched the decor of a rugged country ride. Thanks to the fast pass, my family went on this ride three times. Another exciting and classic ride was Small World. The dolls and animatronics matched the dance moves with the Small World song. The line was long and winding, like all the Disney lines, but this line went much faster because we could sit in the boat on both sides. There were so many rides in this central park that we spent the entire day and still needed to finish every ride. Part of the issue was the wait time with those incredibly long lines. Despite the wait, every ride was worth it.

The next stop was Epcot Center, and as we walked into a slow rollercoaster of tomorrow land, another ride that probably came out in the 1980s, I was looking forward to the ride of Soarin. Here, I was strapped to a seat that lifted straight up, and a massive screen showed me a movie while I was floating in the air. The wind and special effects made me feel like I was on the screen itself, up high, flying. The movie included nature preserves and famous sites throughout the World. My favorite site was the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, the castle for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. I hope to someday go into the castle itself. Interestingly, King Ludwig II, who ordered the building of this monument, never got to live in this castle because he was later imprisoned on charges of insanity. After Soarin, we watched the late-night fireworks special where Mickey was in the order of fighting the evil villains as there were special water effects and matching music to depict Mickey’s dreams. While watching the show in a large outdoor stadium, I enjoyed popcorn and a Coke. 

Next, we spent time in Hollywood Studios. Here my favorite section was Star Wars. We went into a makeshift shuttle, and with the special effects, I enjoyed a 4D movie where the main character is a Jedi fighting the Sith and escapes in time through hyperspace. What I liked the most was how everything looked and felt so real. Not only did I watch all the Star Wars movies, but I also watched all the Toy Story Movies. My understanding from he movies made my ride in Toy Story Land much fun as I raced in a two-person seated circular car and moved through different games. I accrued plenty of points, beating the rest of my family with 10,000 points. 

On my way back, I didn’t want to pack my suitcase; I wanted to stay here forever. As I dragged my bag into the airport in Orlando, my only wish was that one day I would come back and enjoy not just the rides I experienced but whatever the new rides the parks had to offer. Disney is magical because being here immerses you in the movies and the characters, you become who you want to be, and imagination has no limits. 

 

My plane landed at the airport in Los Angeles. I had never visited California before and was excited to explore the landscape. My family took a cab ride from LA to Anaheim, the place of Disneyland. At 12, I was excited to see this place finally. The cab ride was long, but we finally reached our Disney resort, the Castle Inn and Suites. After dropping off the luggage, it was time to explore the Parks. I ran out with my brother to check out Fantasy Island in Disneyland Park. There are only two large parks here, so walking back and forth between them was easy. I took the maps for the two parks and followed the maps to determine which rides I wanted.

My favorite ride that I enjoyed was the Matterhorn in Fantasyland. I was strapped in front of my mom in a roller coaster car, a sled car. It was the Matterhorn ride, and I was about to embark on my journey into the Swiss Alps. I saw another parallel roller coaster sled that began next to me and spun off into a different part of this large mountain. This ride, built in 1959, is inside a mountain over 80 feet tall. The minute my sled car hit the darkness of the mountain, I heard him, Harold, the abominable snow monster, a Yeti. I heard him scream twice until I finally saw him waving his arms at me on the third scream, on top of the ride before I ascended downward in spirals, weaving through the caves. The Yeti ride ended with a splash to cool me off and slow down the sleds to come to a standstill. 

Another ride I enjoyed was the Goofy roller coaster ride in Toon Land. Riding the fast roller coaster and dipping deep into the bottom before rising up again in a loop was fun. I enjoyed Disneyland’s roller coasters, and none were too scary. I could feel the wind against my face as I dipped in the ride. The line was long, but it was worth the wait. The Goofy ride was enjoyable because two parallel cars were going on different tracks, like mirror images. This helped speed up the long line. I found it interesting how many rides in Disneyland utilize parallel structures to expedite the lines. 

Next, I remembered the original Cars movie in the Disneyland Park of Cars and rode Lighting McQueen down Radiator Springs. I had watched the Cars movie numerous times before coming, so it was easy to imagine that I was now in the film itself. This ride, the Radiator Springs Ride, is popular and is much more fun than the other car ride in the park of Mater because the other ride is so slow and for younger kids. The ride is automatic, and the cars run parallel to each other, speeding and slowing down in between. The scenery is just like the movie. Riding the radiator racers included a picture to be sold at the end of the ride. Inside the waiting area, there were boards and a pit stop, including Luigi’s tires. Tires and posters were decorating the entry point of this ride. The interesting part of Disney was the decor, even on the way to the ride, because it allowed me to walk into the movie and be part of the Cars adventure. The ride was fun but short, and I wanted to go back, but with a winding line, I decided it was best to come back at another time.  

That night I went to the movies because there is a theater in the park. I watched an Alvin and the Chipmunks movie while enjoying plenty of popcorn there. Disneyland has rides, good food, and even a movie theater. The theater was similar to AMC and was known as the Mainstreet Cinema. There are other theaters, but they are for plays; this was the one for watching movies. The parks are within walking distance from each other and walking distance from the resorts. 

After two nights and three days, it was time to leave, and I helped pack my bags. Returning to LA airport in another long cab ride was no fun, but the memories of Disneyland were worth the trip. Reflecting on my journey, I recommend Disneyland for a wonderful and brief experience. The parks are small but full of many rides, and the resorts are on the property, so travel is easy if you stay on the property. I felt that staying the number of days was enough, but the rides have a long wait time, so the fast pass is helpful when used. Ultimately, I landed at O’hare airport from LA and took a cab back home. 

There I was, a needle in the sky, in the Seattle Observatory as my dad picked me up to see the Seattle skyline. As my parents walked around the narrow pathway overlooking a fenced observatory, I excitedly ran around the circular perimeter with my older brother. My dad graduated from Seattle for his training, so it was no surprise that I wanted to explore this city. The mountainous background was a stark contrast to the flat plains of Illinois. I remember the fresh air blowing on my face since we walked outdoors on a balcony. We took public transportation, a bus from downtown Seattle to come to this structure, the Seattle Needle. On our way downstairs, we stopped by the gift shop, and I bought a small miniature Seattle Needle statue to put in my room; I was 8.

Fish fresh just in front of the ocean were thrown hand to hand in the Farmer’s Market: so many different species and bright colors of fish filling the large region. As vendors were throwing fish, swarms of people were buying them quickly. Pike place is famous for shipping fresh fish daily throughout the country, and this place respects the oceans and fishing. Surprisingly, this fish market began in the 1930s to sell fresh fish off the Seattle shoreline. Each fish is sourced carefully and caught not to damage the ocean. It is this standard that has made Pike Place so popular. Next to the Farmers Market, my dad spotted a Thai restaurant. My parents enjoy Thai food, so we went to eat, and to our pleasant surprise, the food was incredible. It was the best Thai food I have ever tasted, and even today, I still haven’t found a fresher, tastier Thai restaurant. 

Walking the streets of downtown Seattle reminded me of my days walking the streets of downtown Chicago, my birthplace. The streets buzzed with people, bikes and rollerblades, cars and pedestrians, and shops sharing walls. I went to the Cheesecake factory and bought some cheesecake to take home to our hotel that night-red velvet. Our hotel room was very small, and the building was very old, but staying downtown was worth it with the ease with which we could explore the city. 

My dad rented a Toyota Camry, and we drove for miles until we reached a mountain full of glaciers, Mount Rainier. My dad told me he always went hiking in these mountains. As we parked the car at the mountain’s base, I followed my family into an information session. After learning about Mount Rainier, we walked trails and hiked this famous mountain for the next few hours. Mount Rainier is over 14,000 feet tall, and an active volcano erupted in 1894. I was impressed by the fact that Seattle had a potentially dangerous mountain that could one day wipe out this city- a fact that kept repeating itself in the short video shown in the information center. I walked miles with my family, cutting through the glaciers and grassy trails. There are over 260 miles of hiking trails. When we reached the top of our hike, I witnessed people on ropes using pikes to ascend the steep portion of the mountain. As I smiled at my dad, he immediately clarified that we would not do anything this dangerous on our trip. After an exhausting, long hike, we drove back to our hotel. I was so exhausted from so much walking that I fell asleep in the rental car before reaching our hotel. 

Next, my mom dragged us to the shopping mall, stores that were no different from those I had been with her at Fox Valley. Even though we did not buy anything, it was still pleasant to walk around and observe the stores, also named brands in the Midwest. 

At the end of my trip, I headed to United Airlines to fly back to Chicago. As I lay my head to rest, I imagined my long hike to Mount Rainier. Suddenly, I woke up in fear as the airplane shook violently. The hostess screeched, and my mom grabbed my arm. I was strapped in my seatbelt but did not expect this much turbulence. Only after this panic did the captain come on the intercom to inform passengers that he was riding through some significant turbulence and that it would pass soon. The announcement was late, given the panic it caused. I was glad this turbulence was short-lived and that the rest of the flight was smooth. When the plane landed, I was sad that my vacation was over. But despite all the adventures in Seattle, I was so glad to be home.

The poem “The Liar” by Amiri Baraka, is a complex, elaborate, and confusing poem full of puzzling words. The title immediately caught my attention warning me of the distrust that will unravel. The layout of the sentences adds to the theme of distrust as the words occupy the left side of the page, but as the poem unravels, it takes space on the right side of the page until it decides to lay in the middle. Analyzing this layout makes me conclude that even though the turbulence of “the liar” is deviated to the left, ultimately the sentences should fixate to the middle, staying safe from the liar because in the middle, the common ground does not conclude anything-there is no right or wrong so therefore there can not be a lie.

 

Rereading this poem numerous times, I conclude that the speaker has to be Amiri warning the inquisitive audience about the liar. There are constant contrasts and conflicts throughout the entire poem. Yet none of these questions or inquiries are answered. Instead, the suspense just keeps building like a never-ending mystery. Moreover, Amiri never says who “they” are in this poem. I think the “they” are liars. The tone is bewildered as Amiri explains how the liar threatens him with “fear” and is “hideous” and even “erases familiarity” from his face. ​Consequently, informing the reader about the liar takes Amiri through so many twists and turns that as the reader, I feel like I am on a rollercoaster.

There is vivid imagery interwoven in this poem that I had to carefully dissect and decipher. Interestingly, the most stunning imagery is the shadow of a tree, and this imagery starts with an open bracket that never closes. I imagine this tree as a wicked, angry tree full of twisted branches, no leaves, no fruit, as its shadow of crooked branches and roots wraps around this unknown chair. I do not know why a chair is by the tree but I conclude that this is the chair is the throne of a king.The tree has a shadow that is “winding around a chair”, yet shadows do not wind like that, they are linear, and I find it peculiar that this tree can place its shadow around the perimeter of a chair. In addition to the imagery are numerous metaphors, like the “frozen birds rattling” that sound bizarre because the birds are frozen. So how are they also moving since if the birds are genuinely frozen in their bodies, then they are dead and dead birds do not make any noise. I hypothesize the birds are frozen because they are stuck, they can not fly, and they can only be heard. I concluded that this is because a lie can be heard, but a lie does not give the birds freedom. Instead, it strips away their power and forces the birds to freeze and only speak what is rattling noises because rattles are not clear; it is just noise, not words.

As I kept rereading this poem, I recognized more paradoxes and contrasts embedded in vivid imagery and strong metaphors. This poem seems to have both a superficial meaning and a deep inner meaning with each stanza. I noticed discussion about the supernatural when the poem talks about body or flesh and “the spirit” hiding inside. I also recognized the paradox between   “comforts of the body” being “hideous”. Reading birth as being “loud” seems to imply that Amiri is crying to the world at birth. I noticed the paradox of how Amiri claims that he “predicted them” which does not make sense because as humans we can not predict the future. I conclude that he is referring to his life  being thrown into the wrath of a lie.

Interestingly, I noticed a focus on religion. The Bible represents religion and is often the polar opposite of greed and money, so putting the Bible in this poem is confusing. While the Bible is a Book of God, how can the “chanting” possibly “erase his face” because when people read the Book, they are Blessed, not cursed. I concluded that a lie is where the effects of the Bible do not exist because the Book of truth can not talk about a lie so if Amiri has a face built by the lies of society, it will take the hymns of the Bible to erase these falsifications off his face.

Moreover, Amiri never says what “the answer” is when he mentions the word answer because this poem is about what is a lie and there are never clear answers with lies, only confusion and chaos. Also I think it is time that is “counting” the minutes and warning Amiri he is closer to death. Who is “Roi”? I know “Roi” stands for King in French, so Amiri talks about how the king is dead. This makes sense if the king is greedy, a king who makes others’ lives miserable for his own gains, and thus the king’s life is a lie. However, Roi is also similar to his former name LeRoi Jones. The only thing this king could be is either Amiri reaching death or the death of the liar. However, if Amiri is the king who dies, then is it not Amiri who is the liar? Does this mean that the twists and contradictions are the same contradictions that place Amiri into the category of not being truthful, but rather the consequences of living the life of a lie? I understood that this poem is the turbulence of Amiri’s life living a lie, through the use of metaphors, imagery and religion. 

It was Spring Break of fourth grade in Naper School, and I was heading to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. At 5 am my family decided to leave the house and go to the airport. The lines in OHare Airport were long and winding, but once I boarded the plane, the flight was a short 2 hours. Walking to grab my bags, I saw my dad call for a cab, and we were soon on our way to Cabana Bay, a resort of Universal Studio. It was a beautiful, sunny day and I remember checking into the resort and seeing my mom buy the tickets, the Express Pass. After I threw my bags into my resort room, I grabbed my sun hat and sunglasses, ready to board the Universal bus.

As I anxiously waited in the long winding line, I could not believe I would finally get into the castle of Harry Potter. This is the castle that materialized the imagination that I created in my own mind as I read every Harry Potter book in the series. I visited Universal studio once before, but 2 years prior I did not match the minimum height requirement to get into the ride. As we got closer to the line that twisted and turned like the body of a snake, I could see the entry point, a welcoming eagle, the symbol of Ravenclaw. Walking into the dark structure, I felt I was in the books myself, a student at Hogwarts. From the talking images on the wall in the paintings to the chemical lab with test tubes full of magical potions to the eerie music in the background, I felt that every part of the castle was reminiscent of different aspects of the Harry Potter series. Next, it was time for a rollercoaster ride hidden in 3D graphics. I flew into many other scenes from several books, including the spider scene, meeting the characters like Dumbledor and Hagrid, and helping Harry Potter fly in the sky and grab the ball in the game of Quidditch. I felt like I was flying like a wizard, a student of Hogwarts. 

My family enjoyed this ride, and we looked forward to exploring more of the Harry Potter lands at Universal. After the ride, I drank butter beer and bought a wand, the wand of Voldemort. After eating in a dining hall right out of the book, I sat on a dragon roller coaster, visualizing the entire park as the rollercoaster was at its peak before racing down into a spiral. Next, I headed to the Hogwart Express, the train connecting the 2 regions of Harry Potter regions in Universal. 

I saw a fire-breathing dragon in this new area and entered another ride, the rollercoaster for the Flight of Hippogriff. Here I walked into Hogswart’s Bank and then went past a corridor where I waited until I could get into the line, going up a long winding staircase past characters of the newer books of Harry Potter. When I was strapped on this rollercoaster, the ride began with rotating the rollercoaster and using 3D technology to make it seem that everyone was going to fall out. This ride was very different as I was in a cave and witnessed scenes from Harry Potter movies through the stops on the ride. Even though I enjoyed the first ride in the castle of Harry Potter’s Forbidden Journey better, this ride was also exciting. 

As we continued throughout the park, I enjoyed so many other worlds. The world of Aladdin with delicious food and an entire section decorated with the movies. I walked past Cat and Hat Land where I did enjoy the train ride and the candy factory. Going to the Despicable Me section, I had fun in the 3D minion ride. The Marvel section had an exciting Spiderman ride.  Moreover, the Transformer section had a 3D transformer ride. The section on Shrek had a 4D movie, connecting characters from the Shrek movies. Overall, I enjoyed Universal Studios because the passages and the layout of the buildings were reminiscent of the movies and I felt I was in them. Most of the rides used 3D technology, as my family wore special glasses and took advantage of computer animation to make everything seem real.

After spending 2 days in the parks, I enjoyed some relaxation playing mini gold and even went bowling in the resort. After 3 days, it was time to head home, and as I departed back to Chicago, I hoped I would go back and enjoy more rides one day.

As I contemplate my first semester of senior year, I will never forget how many hours I have spent on college essays and how these essays have overtaken my spare hours for the past several months. Like my three prior high school years, I have maintained being active in extracurricular activities, such as math team, tutoring, or MSA. However, unlike my past three years, my senior year of high school has been very different. As a freshman, I was under the wrong impression that senior year must be the most accessible year ever. I thought incorrectly that senior year meant sleeping in and coming to school late, arriving late, and even leaving early or early dismissal. Moreover, I thought senior year meant having more free time to play video games and watch movies. 

Senior year is a vital year of high school because it is the year that bridges high school with college or future career tracks. Consequently, senior year adds the extra work of essay writing. Applying to numerous universities, I have written many essays, from my personal statement to discussions about philosophy, art, opinions, and what I might want to do when I graduate college. These essays meant senior year taught me how to become super organized with my tasks and time management. This year, I have impressed myself with what I can accomplish if I put my mind and heart into doing things. Senior year is also the academic link, so my classes are more challenging, as I am primarily taking all AP classes this year. 

For those transitioning to senior year, I recommend that you spend time summer before senior year visiting colleges and in senior year, make sure you sign up for college visits. I also recommend you get a head start on the essays and get your work done before the last minute to avoid unnecessary stress. I recommend that to succeed in senior year, be prepared and list what you want to do in high school. Join clubs you were unsure about joining and make new friends to complement your old friends. Be confident in your skin, and be you. Being a senior means you have made it this far and are almost at the finish line of high school. Enjoy every moment because you will be in your cap and gown soon. Manage time wisely to accomplish what you set out to do. In the summer, spend time before senior year visiting colleges, so you know where to apply. Take advantage of signing up for extra classes you always wanted to take if your schedule permits. Never give up on your aspirations because without goals or passion, there is no drive or motivation. 

Senior year with all the micromanaging and time management comes the excess pressure. I have learned how to manage stress better in the past six months. I have learned to study and relax more efficiently. To cope with the stress, I watched short movies and played video games with my friends. I know that it is vital to know how to destress because the stress in college, I am sure, is of more significant proportion compared to the pressure in high school. 

There are many lessons that I have learned this semester that I plan to carry on for the rest of the year and beyond. One of the critical lessons I learned is how to destress. The classes are not getting any easier, and I do not think college will be a walk in the park. By learning how to destress and take breaks, I can be more efficient in my work inside and outside the classroom. Another lesson I learned is that having a positive outlook in life is essential. I have come to appreciate the importance of having friends and working together in the classroom and outside activities. Through the friendships I have developed, I have recognized the importance of being immersed in a collegial environment because such an atmosphere maximizes what each person can accomplish. Moreover, I want to spend time with my friends before I graduate as much as possible because once we graduate, we may go to college in different states, making it challenging to meet. Also, I want to enjoy my last semester at North and savor every moment as it is etched in my memory-from the caring teachers to exciting activities. I also look forward to a senior night in the Spring. Naperville North has so much to offer, and I want to graduate knowing I have taken advantage of everything possible. I am proud to be a Huskie and hope to carry the legacy I have built upon at North.

There I was, on my first long car ride, 10 hours. The bumpy rides in my grandfather’s minivan did not make it any easier. But my parents borrowed his van so my brother and I could watch Disney movies on the small screen behind the front seats as we sat strapped in the back. I was 8, and my brother was 11 years old, we were on our way to visit my cousins in Branson, Missouri. I met my 3 cousins at family functions before this trip, but now I could visit their homes. My brother told me that there are so many fun things to do in Branson. As I looked outside my window, I could see the landscape change from the flat roads of Illinois to the stacked rocks of the rocky roads of Missouri. I could see the various colors of the sediments in the rocks, stacked on top of each, with the road cutting through these mountains. Entering Branson, I saw small shops and signs of various shows being advertised. My parents drove up a steep hill and stopped in front of a large white and red home; I made it. My cousins, Amin, Sameerah, and Saminah, ran out to greet my brother and me. We jumped out of the car, and I ran straight inside, excited to begin my adventure.

It began with a large arcade with bumper cars and video games. I enjoyed the go-carts, and my favorite game was MarioCart, and I was Mario. After playing games, we ate cheese pizza, and I mixed various soda flavors to make a unique soda drink. Next was indoor golf, and we went upstairs to a large, darker room to play minigolf. There I played indoor golf until I made it to the last hole. An arcade is full of plenty of activities.

Next, we headed to the butterfly museum, a large butterfly sanctuary or palace. Their butterflies landed on my hands and shoulders. So many brilliant colors filled the room. My brother attracted plenty of butterflies on his shoulders. Then we went upstairs to watch a movie on butterflies, a scientific film. Moving out of the small theater room, we walked into a gift store. I bought a butterfly pen as a souvenir.

As we returned to my cousins’ home, we planned an exciting dinner at the Dolly Parton Dixie Chicks show. It was 6 pm, and we headed towards a large stadium where we sat to watch the show below, the Dixie Chicks. Eating chicken and bread, I felt like I was in the Roman Empire in the Colosseum as I cheered for my team, the North. The place was split into 2 groups, North versus South, and below there were horse races, pig races, and fencing on horses by knights in armor. In the end, my group won, but Dolly Parton showed up on the big screen and emphasized that it did not matter if we were Team North or Team South because we were the United States of America at the end of the day. 

When we got home, I slept well, exhausted from the exciting day, and worth the long car ride. My aunt’s cat Sophia purred as she sat next to my bed. I told my cousins they were lucky to live in such a fun place. But they reassured me that this was not the daily case and that they were going places to entertain us, this is not their routine.

The next day we spent at an amusement park called Silver Dollar City. I went on roller coaster rides, played games to win small prizes, and ate cotton candy. It reminded me of Great America. My favorite ride was the Ferris wheel, as I could visualize the entire park at the peak of the wheel. I sat with my brother as we went a few times in circles until it was time to step out. I enjoyed the snow cone, my favorite flavor of lime. After running around in the park, we headed back home to take a break and get ready for dinner at Red Lobster. 

Every day we did things, and the next day we went to a Magic show. Branson is a fun place to visit, and there is plenty to do. The 4 days I spent there went by fast. As I headed home, I thanked my cousins for a wonderful trip and promised them I would take them sightseeing and visit all the fun places in Chicago and Naperville.

The music was banging loud, people dancing on the deck, the pools full of bright blue water, and then the loud horn sounds. It is time, time for the boat to leave the dock of Louisiana and head for Mexico. I was in 6th grade, it was my winter vacation and my parents joined my dad’s side of the family to embark on a cruise. I had never taken a cruise prior to this. It is a Carnival ship with over 4000 people on board. My heart is racing as I see the ship move away from the land and into the vast seas. I am on the edge of anticipation as I feel the ship move. The music is louder than ever and excitement fills the air as everyone is ready to start their vacation. 

The ship runs its course to go to the Gulf of Mexico in the Atlantic Ocean. Unlimited soft serve ice cream fills me up in between the meals. I am pleasantly surprised by how much food is there. It takes 3 days on the ship before we reach the tip of Mexico. Meanwhile, I enjoy playing pingpong, basketball, video games, and running on this large ship. I can not even feel the waves below. Every morning, when our small cabin room is cleaned, fun animal shapes are made with the towels. I enjoy the balcony view as we can see the waves below and the vast Ocean. It is so calming and so impressive. 

Here I land, at the tip of Mexico, our first stop is Costa Maya. I had never been to Mexico before. In fact, I had never traveled outside of the US before. As we step out, my family goes into a bus and we leave for the Mayan ruins. It is a long, 2 hour drive. These MesoAmerican pyramids are fascinating. The guide talks about how people lived and died in these pyramids. I enjoy walking the stairs of the pyramids and reaching the top with my parents and brother, enjoying the views below. I am surprised by how these structures have been preserved. After walking the ruins, we stopped by a tent and I bought souvenirs with my brother. Next we board the bus and head back to the ship. Our excursion takes the whole day. I am ready to eat dinner in the main dining hall and I am looking forward to the next excursion, the next stop. I feel the ship leaving and heading for the next stop, Honduras.

Now I land in Honduras and we decide to explore the jungles. I have never seen a wild monkey before today. As I leave the ship, I head into a van with my family and after about 30 minutes we are up a hill. The hill is pretty steep. Walking out of the van, we are on top of a platform on a hill. It is time to zipline. I have never ziplined before.The zipline workers explain how to use the zipline by stopping ourselves with a glove in one hand and holding onto our hoist with the other hand. They explain the safety rules and we gear up with helmets and holsters. My stomach churns as I glance down, it is a long way down and I have to go through 10 zip lines before getting to the bottom. I bravely stand tall as a worker attaches my gear to the double lines and I am ready to go. The air blows hard in my face as I zip down the line from the platform to a large tree. “Don’t forget to see the wild monkeys below” he yells at me as I let go and move down. The jungle is dense with large trees and monkeys are making noise below as they freely jump the vines. The scenery is breathtaking, the jungle is so green and so diverse with many different types of trees. My nerves calm down after the first line and now I am excited to complete the pathway. I am Praying as I go down the first line. However after I feel comfortable with the technique of ziplining, I go from anxiety to having fun. As we land on the last line on the ground, I wish there were more lines, I wish this did not have to end.The colors of this jungle are vivid and bright. 

Next stop the next day is Belize. The island of Belize means it is time to see the Coral Reefs. My family signed up for snorkeling. As I board a small boat, the workers explain how to wear the snorkeling gear. I jump out the boat with my brother as we swim in our gear. I see large reefs in the water, shocked to see the reef directly and not just a textbook picture. I want to touch the reef but they are too deep below and I must stay close to the surface to breathe. This ecosystem is fascinating and I am immersed in it. 

Now the ship is stopping at the next stop, Cozumel. Here I learn so much about dolphins and I even pet a dolphin. The water is so clear that I can see shells underneath. My brother grabs his snorkeling gear and swims to grab some sea shells. I enjoy the warm sand between my toes. Mexico has so much to offer that it occurs to me why have I not come here before? 

It is time to get back on the ship and head back home. My family takes a picture to keep on the staircase in the main lobby of the ship, grateful to be here. The cruise was worth every memorable moment, every excursion in a foreign country. I relax in my cabin and wonder, wonder if I will ever get the chance to go on another cruise. 

 

All those years in elementary school, I read about Washington DC, the capital of our country. Seeing pictures of the White House in my books and in the news, I knew what to expect as my plane left for the capital. My parents were excited to show my brother and I the heart of this country where policies are made. My dad works for the VA so he feels connected to the government as he proudly takes care of our veterans. I helped my mom pack our bags as we left for O’Hare, it was the summer before my 4th grade. I did not know what to expect, all I knew was the photos in my mind of the White House. I had high hopes of seeing someone famous, even wanting to bump into President Obama. However after I arrived in Maryland, I was pleasantly surprised to see so much more and not just see the White House at a distance.

If I could choose two words to describe my trip in Washington DC, it would be “museums” and “memorials”. As soon as we arrived at the hotel, we dropped off our luggage and immediately headed outside to tour the city. The streets were full with so many food trucks that I wondered if fast food is the norm here. These trucks varied from tacos trucks to ice cream trucks. The ice cream was colorful swirls of various flavors, my favorite was the chocolate swirled ice cream cone. Walking the grass plot called “the Mall”, I was confused that my dad called it this when there were no stores. As we continued our walk, one by one the next 3 days were filled with museums-all free in this state, and memorials clustered into the city.

There he was, standing tall at the entry point, showing his mighty and big fury body to the  world, the mammoth at the History Museum. I stared at him, straining my 9 year old neck, surprised by his size. As we walked through this museum, I came across so many interesting exhibits. My favorite exhibit was the skeleton of a shark, with its sharp fangs, the great white shark. Interestingly, I noticed that unlike The Field Museum, this museum was lacking the bones of a dinosaur, disappointing indeed. Collectively known as Smithsonian Museums, there are so many museums in a small space and they are all free. Another museum we entered was the Airplane Museum where planes from so many different time periods were placed in a large room, some hanging on the ceiling. My favorite part of this museum was going into a simulation cockpit where I went in crazy angles as I imagined being in a WW2 jet. At the National Spy Museum, I imagined being a spy in the simulation round and learned so many facts about being in the FBI. The last museum stop was definitely just as memorable as the first, the Native American Museum. Going floor to floor in this massive building full of curves and impressive architectural structures, I learned more about Native American art and history in 1 hour than in my 4 years in elementary school.

Beside museums, my trip was also filled with visits to the various memorials. Walking up the long stairs to reach Thomas Jefferson memorial was exhausting, but worth the trip. His statue sat in the center and the wall above was engraved with his words. The memorials were all peaceful and reflective, as my family sat in each one, contemplating on the life of the individual to whom the memorial was dedicated. Larger than Jefferson was the Lincoln Memorial. President Lincoln sits on a large marble chair and this is the Memorial on the $5 bill. Lots of stairs to reach the top of his memorial and he had plenty of writings on the marble walls too. The structure of his memorial sits in a marble building full of columns. Some memorials were locations full of fountains and marble stones with engraved information, like Franklin Roosevelt, Martin Luther King and the WW2 Memorial. My parents focused on the importance in history of the various people and soldiers as I walked through these monuments and grounds. 

Heading back home after days full of walking and exploring, I was able to absorb so much of our history. There is so much to do that I know I could go back and learn more, see more. My trip to Washington DC was more than just seeing the White House from a distance, it was immersing myself in the proud history of my country.

Sirens, lights, noise , car alarms, pedestrians, the sun setting did not stop the loud atmosphere I experienced in Chicago. Even at 2am, I would hear pedestrians taking strolls. Living in my tiny condominium, I felt like my home was no different than my daycare. Toys piled up at the corner wall and every socket was sealed for child protection. I remember the child proof gate covering the staircase to the two rooms upstairs. I could hear people walking down the hall, talking at odd hours. The door man was a nice old man, always saluting the residents, in his bright blue uniform. The mailboxes were all lined up at the entrypoint with key holes…so many tiny boxes next to each other. I remember the little pinhole on the door to see who was knocking and the locked glass door that let my parents into our condominium, into Room 404. At Streeterville, the front yard was a tiny plot of grass in front of the windows of the living room. I would take walks with my parents along the river, watching the sunlight bounce off the skyscrapers. I knew that Michigan Avenue was a large street because there was always traffic on the bridge above my strolls.

 

I placed my red, large elmo doll and blue blanket in my suitcase. My brother made sure not to forget any lego sets. I was scared. I did not know what to expect. My mom said we were moving to get closer to grandma. My parents told my brother and I that the truck was coming soon, a large truck to move us to the suburbs. While my brother and I were putting our belongings in open suitcases, my parents were busy with cleaning the place. My dad spent days repainting the walls as my mom deep cleaned the floors. I was leaving my crib, my home to a new world, a new home. I saw piles and piles of brown boxes, each labeled with what was inside. Everyday the boxes only multiplied and the living room soon became full of these boxes. So many changes in that hot summer of 2008. Getting on the highway, I waved goodbye to my old home. It was bittersweet as I was now going into a new realm. The drive was long and I fell asleep in my car seat. When I woke up, I was met by greenery, lots of trees and plots of grass, lots of large back yards and homes in rows against small streets. No high rise buildings blocking the sun, no large streets full of traffic, a new quiet place with space.

My dad pulled up the driveway on our maroon Camry. The house was a nice 3 bedroom tri-level home. The house was built in 1978, a time when split level homes were the most popular. My mom grew up in this same home. When my dad opened the garage, my brother and I ran out of the car through the stairway leading to the office, the mudroom. Taking off our shoes as a family tradition, we ran to the family room, both rooms underground. I saw an old fireplace and new yellow carpet that matched all the rooms of the house. As I climbed upstairs, I immediately walked into the kitchen. My mom reassured me that grandpa bought everything to remodel this home, make it newer, more modern. The living room and dining room both had large windows, decked in new curtains that were set in heavy white material, twisting and turning at the top like U shaped designs. I ran upstairs to claim my room, the room of my uncle while my brother claimed my mom’s old room. I was excited to have my own room for the first time in my life, and so much space. In the large basement I placed all of our toys, which is where my brother and I have spent hours for years. We built a large train set, large lego sets, set up tents, and placed soccer, all inside this underground basement. The laundry room was next door and so was the furnace, in an adjacent room. I remember my parents having to light the furnace with matches when the heating system was down. I grew up in this home, a simple home, a home where memories were flooded for my mom from her upbringing, a place for her to cherish and for me to grow up in. I began my new Kindercare at South Naperville, where grandma would pick me up every day since my mom would finish work late. Then I matriculated in Naper elementary, Washington junior high and Naperville North. Naperville was so different from Chicago, so much quieter at night, a house that was so much bigger and so much more closet space. Of course it was the backyard that was my second favorite place besides the basement. Running around trees and grass, a drastic change from the small plot of a few cubic feet in the city. I will never forget that moment, the moment that I was placed in a completely different environment, the move from the city to the suburbs, a move that I am glad to have made, a move that gave me more space to live and enjoy, a new beginning.