Growing up in Spain is completely different then growing up in America, the environment and culture there compared to America is basically opposite. In Spain some of the roads are as wide as just 5 feet and cars can barely fit through. Most people tend to drive mopeds because they are easier to get around in and that’s all you need really around there. Arcos de la Frontera is not much of a tourist place when it really should be. It is such a beautiful place to visit and there is so much to see. My favorite thing to do is look at the town when it starts to get dark because that’s when all the lights come on and you can really see how amazing this town is.
This is an actual picture of my home town, Arcos de la Frontera
When I was about 3 my family moved to Florida because my dad was stationed here for the navy. Sense I was so young I didn’t really know what was going on, but there was a big change ahead of me. Moving to another country as a little boy wasn’t that hard actually, I learned the language fairly fast and before I knew it I was speaking Spanish to my mom and English to my dad. When I got old enough to start school I knew enough English that I didn’t have to take tutoring classes like my brother. Sense he was older than me he didn’t learn as much English before starting school. From then on me and my family have visited Spain almost every summer we could and hopefully I can go back soon.
Basílica de Santa María de la Asunción, Arcos de la Frontera
Things to do:
Site seeing
Hold and pet owls on a cliff side
Visit Basílica de Santa María de la Asunción (The church above)
My parents, and their parents, and their parents parents, etc. were born in the Philippines. After my parents graduated from college, they moved to the United States and became U.S. citizens. They first lived in New York and then moved to Florida and had me. Naturally, my parents surrounded my childhood with some of the Filipino cultures, customs, and traditions that they had brought with them to America. Growing up, I learned how to somewhat understand some of the Filipino languages (don’t ask me to speak any of them) and cultures and frequently ate Filipino food, and I still do. I may have been born and raised in America, but I am still and proud to be a Filipina. Of course that doesn’t mean I’m not proud to be an American as well.
The Philippines
Philippine Geography
The Philippines, which consists of over 7,000 islands, lie southeast of China and north of Australia. These islands make up a land area of around 110,000 square miles and stretch across more than a 1,000 miles.
The largest and most densely populated island in the Philippines is Luzon. Luzon contains the capital city of the Philippines, Manila, and the largest city in the country, Quezon City. Mindanao, it’s largest city is Davao, is the second-largest island in the Philippines.
Philippine Climateand Weather
The climate of the Philippines is hot and tropical with temperature that usually ranges between 70 °F and 90 °F. January is the coolest month while May is the hottest month.
Situated in the middle of the “typhoon belt,” the Philippines experience abundant rainfall and, obviously, typhoons. Typhoons can hit any time of the year, but June and August are the most typhoon-active months. Fifteen typhoons can affect the Philippines a year, and five to six of those typhoons are often direct hits.
Philippine History
1945, “Ranger GI” from the US Ranger Battalion and a Filipino guerrilla
Not much is known about what the people, cultures, languages, customs, and traditions of the Philippines were like before 1521. Nevertheless, in 1521, Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Philippines and transformed the Philippine Islands into a Spanish colony. The Philippines remained a Spanish colony until America was able to gain control when the Spanish Empire was defeated in the Spanish-American War in 1891. Before America could grant the Philippines their independence, World War II broke out. In 1941, Japan invaded and occupied the Philippines until Japan surrendered to the U.S. in 1945. The Philippines were finally granted their independence in 1946.
Philippine Cultures, Customs, and Traditions
There are so many different cultures, customs, traditions, and even languages in the Philippines because of all the islands. This makes the Philippines culturally wealthy and diverse. I wish I could include all of the different cultures, customs, and traditions in this post, however, this post is already getting too long for most people (I’m sorry).
Because of the Spanish’s control over the Philippines for over 300 years, much of Philippine culture, customs, traditions, and languages has been greatly influenced by the Spanish. You can see the Spanish influence in the traditional arts, literature, dances, languages, currencies, foods, names of the people, etc.. However, it’s not just the Spanish who have influenced lifestyle in the Philippines, American and Asian influences can also be seen.
The Philippine people have over 170 different languages, and I’m not going to take the time to describe them all so you don’t have to worry. The official language of the Philippines is Tagalog. Tagalog, and all the other languages, combine words from Spanish (e.g. the common Filipino greeting kumusta is derived from the Spanish greeting como esta), English, and the original native language.
The Philippine cuisine is mostly made up of tropical fruits, rice, chicken, and seafood. You can see the Spanish influence in the food such as chicken adobo and leche flan. The Chinese have also influenced the cuisine in food such as lumpia and pancit
There are more traditions and customs that I would like to share, but for all of your sakes’ I won’t. However, I will share my favorite traditional dance with all of you.
My favorite Filipino traditional dance called tinikling. You can definitely hear the Spanish-influenced music.
OnA Final Note
I wish with all my heart that I could share more about my homeland, but I know some of you are most likely nodding off. There is just so much about the Philippines that I find amazing! The food, the languages, the sights, the people, the traditions, the history, and so much more are a part of me. Sure, it may be a third-world country, but I still love being connected to it all. Plus, who wouldn’t love to know that they come from strikingly gorgeous tropical islands? If you would love to learn more about the Philippines, you can find extensive information here.
The golf course is home to me because I am there every day. I am on the golf team at Pace High School. Last year I went to state. It was very fun. I go to the golf course every day because my dream is for me to one day be a professional golfer. I have wanted to be a pro ever since I was little. It is my dream to be a pro. It is my dream because my dad also plays golf, and my dad is in the navy, so I rarely get to play with him. I want to get good so when he is in town, I can play with him and beat him. He is the reason why I am trying to get a college scholarship to play golf. He is the reason why I dedicate all my free time to going to the golf course and beating him. When I was little my dad would take me to our home course, and I would just watch him. I would think to myself about how I wanted to be that good one day. Now because of all the hard work and dedication I put into golf I have gotten to that point. I am trying to go higher than that point. I want to make my dad happy and become a pro. If I ever get my tour card that will be the greatest day of my life. If I ever win a tour event, I will be so excited and feel accomplished with all my hard work that I did as a kid. I hope my dream comes true.
Walt Disney World is the ultimate vacation place for families. With its four different parks, cultural restaurants, and exhilarating attractions, Disney is the place to make your imagination a reality and your inner child to come out.
Exhilarating Attraction
Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom)
Test Track (Epcot)
Toy Story Playland (Hollywood Studios)
Rock’n Roller Coaster (Hollywood Studios)
Pirates of the Caribbean (Magic Kingdom)
Soarin Around the World (Epcot)
From Left to Right (Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios)
If I had to pick one place to spend the rest of my life in, it would be Disney World. Disney World is the only place where I can be a kid at heart, meet all of my favorite characters, and enjoy delicious foods. The atmosphere is full of happiness, magic, and a sense of relief. When I enter the park, all of my worries drift away and my inner child comes out.
One of the most popular jazz songs in all of New Orleans.
What you can find in New Orleans:
There is great jazz music everywhere you go
It is known for its restaurant Café du Monde, where you can eat its famous beignets with coffee
You can learn a lot about voodoo culture and magic
Street performers play all over the city
Many artists show their work off at venues and markets
The housing in New Orleans has very detailed architecture
Great food, such as jambalaya, crawfish, and gumbo
The famous beignets and coffee found at Café du Monde at the heart of New Orleans. Found here.
Why adults can enjoy New Orleans
It is no doubt that New Orleans is especially interesting for people over the age of 21. When going into the city you cannot miss all of the huge casinos everywhere. Gambling is not legal in many places, but in New Orleans it most definitely is. Most hotels in New Orleans even come with a built in casino where you can blow even more money than you probably should. My family stayed in a hotel called “Harrah’s New Orleans Hotel” on the 17th floor and they actually had an underground escalator that led you under the streets towards their casino. Of course I couldn’t go down, but there sure were many casinos around the city. Along with that, there were many bars and clubs that you could not miss. After around 5 p.m. every night, New Orleans turns into a big party with drunk people everywhere. It is surely a sight to see.
A picture of Harrah’s New Orleans Hotel
French Quarter
The French Quarter is very unique because it is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans. It was founded in 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. The best part of the French Quarter is Bourbon street, which is a street consisting of 13 blocks that has famous nightclubs, restaurants, and party venues. It is surely one of the greatest tourist areas.
A picture of Bourbon street during an event.
Another cool thing that the French Quarter has to offer is the French Market. The French Market is a span of six blocks of venues where you can buy unique items only found in New Orleans. It consists of food, art, clothing, and many other goods.
A picture of the French Market.
Visiting New Orleans
While visiting New Orleans the past few times, there was just a positive vibe that I was always surrounded with. Everyone seemed happy to just be walking down the streets of the big city. On every block you can see people playing instruments, creating artwork, dancing, or even playing the drums. Furthermore, anywhere you walk in New Orleans, it seems to always be scattered with unique voodoo shops and places to eat. Every place I was able to enter I learned lots of great history on why New Orleans was famous and why many people toured the city.
Whenever I hear this song, I think of my grandmother’s home.
Ever since I was little, every summer my family makes the twelve hour drive to my grandma’s home. She lives in San Antonio, Texas, home of the Alamo. Even though the drive can be extremely boring, especially with two brothers who never share the back seat, the long drive is always worth it to get to see my grandmother.
Since we live over 700 miles away
from each other, I only get to see her once, maybe twice, a year. Every trip we
make out to Texas I must cherish because it is the time I finally get to see my
grandma.
As soon as we enter San Antonio’s outskirts, my family instantly perks up because we know the drive is almost over. We know soon we will be surrounded by all the fun things my grandmother has prepared for us – especially all the good food! She always has Blue Bell Ice Cream waiting for us in the freezer and sour cream donuts waiting in the kitchen.
H.E.B. Sour Cream Donuts
The next morning after we wake up,
we are greeted with the sight of deer and birds all over my grandmother’s
backyard. We can go out on her porch and
listen to the birds talking to one another while we eat breakfast. My
grandmother’s dog sometimes scares away the skittish deer, but we throw bread
over the fence for the deer to come and eat later.
Being a thrill junkie, I also get extremely excited for our trip to grandma’s home because we always visit Six Flags Fiesta Texas. At Fiesta Texas, there are crazy roller coasters that spin, toss, and turn us in every direction. My favorite ride is called Iron Rattler; this coaster drops 179 feet at a 81 degree angle on the very first hill. As I go down this drop, I feel as if I am flying out of my seat.
Even though all these other things
make my family’s trip amazing, my grandma’s home is really special because I
always can relax. The obligations I usually feel are put on hold, and I feel as
if I can finally breathe. At my grandmother’s home, the main problems I worry
about are where the last puzzle piece went or if our pillow fort is stable
enough.
A lovely little town cozily rested in a mountain range is known to its inhabitants as Bryson City. As a gateway through the Smoky Mountains, the town in North Carolina is split by the Tuckasegee river.
Bryson City, North Carolina
Many attractions are offered to the several tours such as coal and writing on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, staying at a cabin on a mountain side, white water-rafting down the Tuckasegee River, and many more charming activities.
With an average annual temperature of 55ﾟF, it is a great place to escape the scorching Floridian heat. I will never forget waking up on a chilly autumn morning and watching the rising Sun glisten on the red leaves that floated their way gracefully to the ground. Staying in a cabin on top of one of the several surrounding mountains is a vacation I would love to repeat.
The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad is a 53 mile long railway that coasts through the mountains dotted around North Carolina and Tennessee. It was the 1st train I ever rode; it was a bumpy ride, but the scenic view was worth it. With several stops along the way, tourists had the ability to take several photos and purchase souvenirs to remind themselves of the peaceful journey throughout the Smokies.
The GSMR on a trip through the Smokies
Several trails also exist for visitors to take in much of the lavish scenery or to observe the native wildlife going on with her own business. Common animals throughout the smokies are white-tail deer, black bears, elk, turkeys, raccoons, woodchucks, and several other types of wildlife. I have seen many bears on the trails I have journeyed upon. I kept my distance and watched as the magnificent beasts walked by and was fascinated by their behavior.
If I had that kind of big family, old town home that I used to dream about, this would probably be about that. Instead, this is going to be about the most familiar place I have ever know, my art.
I spent my entire childhood being moved around Texas by a single mom who was doing her best. I was an only child without those childhood friends, considering we moved every 6-10 months. I became my own best friend. I drew and created to pass the time, from making potions outside with the neighbors flowers (oops), to making murals on the walls in my room; wherever that may be at the time. I remember I used to draw my mom a picture of Sailor Moon every single day in kindergarten; she used to get so frustrated with where to put them all. Later in life, once big decisions had to be made, joined the Navy because I had no where else to go at 18 years old. I’m proud of what I accomplished, but I hadn’t realized the toll it took on my creative until I recently separated. Being stripped down to bare human and built back up as a drone following orders takes a toll on you.
MY OUTLET
I was so lost on how to even begin on being a human again. Finding tattooing made everything make sense. At last, there was no more war in my mind. I knew combining limitless everyday creativity, a decent income because let’s face it… tattooing is not going anywhere, and human connections was everything I could ever want. I did not want to be a lonely painter all by myself again. Instead I would take peoples most precious moments, loves and ideas and turn it into wearable art. It made me feel like myself again, and my sketch books became alive.
Line Work Bouquet
Sketch in my minibook
Midoriya from My Hero Academia
I have traveled non stop since day one from state to state, familiar and home were just two words that would never correlate. Instead, it was my sketchbooks that made anywhere feel infinite.
This car is a family heirloom passed from person to person for nearly two decades.
It was originally my grandmother’s car, then my grandpa’s, then my oldest sister’s, then my youngest uncle’s, and currently it’s my second oldest sister’s.
This car, named Venus, has seen its better days.
It has over 190,000 miles on it; the transmission slips; the power steering went out; the headliner is peeling; one of the windows is held up with a wedge, and worst of all, it doesn’t have air conditioning.
Living in Florida with no A/C is torture.
It shakes; it squills; it screeches when you stop and go; it is not perfect by any means.
This is nobody’s ideal car, and now they want to pass it to me.
Shockingly enough, I am actually grateful to have it.
Despite its many issues, this car has been very reliable. It has been a life raft for many of my family members who had no other way around.
My family is not rich, so I am thankful to have any car that drives, even if that means funny noises and a lot of sweat.
This car is the car that has kept my family running. This is the car we all could count on if things were to go wrong.
I will be the cars next owner, but I doubt I’ll be its last. This car will be around for any family member who needs it after me, as long as it still drives.
English Composition I - Multimedia Project 