My Introduction
Word Count: 507
Union City, a place full of rich culture, diverse people, and loud music. No really, it could be three in the morning and you would still be able to hear a party that has been taking place since the morning before continue to go strong. Despite some negative aspects that it may have, Union City is my home and it has shaped me into who I am. It could be argued that the things I enjoy today is due to the fact that I grew up in a latino environment and eventually came around into building admiration for specific things.
For example, I am fascinated with the sport of football, not American football, but what may many people in America call, "soccer." I live and breathe "soccer." I physically play it, virtually play it, watch it on television, and even keep up with the latest transfer news and rumors. I don't nearly pay as much attention to actual news than I do to "soccer" news. Sometimes people claim that sports have helped them accomplish things and Although it may sound strange, "soccer" has helped me. When I was younger I was a timid child and didn't like to interact with anyone but when I began to play "soccer," it allowed me to break free from being shy and gave me the opportunity to interact with new people without feeling the anxiety I used to feel. I have made many good friends from just hitting a field and kicking a ball around.
On top of everything, growing up in Union City has allowed me to understand the importance of family and the strong foundation it is built upon. I have met dozens of family members throughout my life and I still keep close contact with them. Till this day, I still continue to meet new family members and they are always welcomed with open arms. There have been situations where people have claimed to know me from when I was an infant, although I have no recollection of them, I still accept what they say and believe what they tell me since I already know my family members are close with one another. Having the ability to speak two languages and be bilingual has been one of my favorite things that I have come out of Union City with. Being raised by two latino parents and a latino community, has allowed me to learn spanish. I can speak, read, and write in spanish, making me feel proud of my ethnicity. To improve my abilities, in highschool I took three years worth of spanish classes and have become better with using my second language. I enjoy speaking spanish and when the opportunities come for me to use it, I speak my heart out. Coming from a diverse place has had its perks. I have learned to embrace many cultures and have become in love with my own. I enjoy things that many other latinos do and I will continue to enjoy them for as long as I may live.
Union City, a place full of rich culture, diverse people, and loud music. No really, it could be three in the morning and you would still be able to hear a party that has been taking place since the morning before continue to go strong. Despite some negative aspects that it may have, Union City is my home and it has shaped me into who I am. It could be argued that the things I enjoy today is due to the fact that I grew up in a latino environment and eventually came around into building admiration for specific things.
Union City Sign
View of Bergenline Ave (Street I used to walk)
Traffic Filled Bergenline Ave
For example, I am fascinated with the sport of football, not American football, but what may many people in America call, "soccer." I live and breathe "soccer." I physically play it, virtually play it, watch it on television, and even keep up with the latest transfer news and rumors. I don't nearly pay as much attention to actual news than I do to "soccer" news. Sometimes people claim that sports have helped them accomplish things and Although it may sound strange, "soccer" has helped me. When I was younger I was a timid child and didn't like to interact with anyone but when I began to play "soccer," it allowed me to break free from being shy and gave me the opportunity to interact with new people without feeling the anxiety I used to feel. I have made many good friends from just hitting a field and kicking a ball around.
Jose Marti Field (A field I played at)
Hoboken Field (Another field I used to play at)
Old photo of my friends and I at the field
On top of everything, growing up in Union City has allowed me to understand the importance of family and the strong foundation it is built upon. I have met dozens of family members throughout my life and I still keep close contact with them. Till this day, I still continue to meet new family members and they are always welcomed with open arms. There have been situations where people have claimed to know me from when I was an infant, although I have no recollection of them, I still accept what they say and believe what they tell me since I already know my family members are close with one another. Having the ability to speak two languages and be bilingual has been one of my favorite things that I have come out of Union City with. Being raised by two latino parents and a latino community, has allowed me to learn spanish. I can speak, read, and write in spanish, making me feel proud of my ethnicity. To improve my abilities, in highschool I took three years worth of spanish classes and have become better with using my second language. I enjoy speaking spanish and when the opportunities come for me to use it, I speak my heart out. Coming from a diverse place has had its perks. I have learned to embrace many cultures and have become in love with my own. I enjoy things that many other latinos do and I will continue to enjoy them for as long as I may live.
Union City High School (School I attended)
Uptown Union City
Thank you for sharing a little bit about yourself, and your interests. I don't know much about Union City (or New Jersey, really), so I'd love to hear more about the place you grew up in. I'm also very interested in what it's like for you to be bilingual and to see if you have any interest in exploring that part of yourself. For example, do you dream in a particular language? What does your family speak most and are there any members of your family who only speak Spanish? Do you ever find yourself in position of needing to be a translator? Language is so important in this class--you might even consider writing one of your poems in Spanish (and then you may have to translate for me--I know a little Spanish, but not much).
ReplyDelete