I was never interested in tractors until I went to Louisiana last summer. Going to Louisiana was one of the best things that has ever happened to me during my life. Going to Louisiana was so awesome being able to watch and drive enormous diesel tractors and watch my uncle cut rice with a combine(which is a machine that is used to cut rice on a farm. It helped me learn about rice and the machines that farmers use to cut rice. I got to see where the rice is stored after it is cut, my uncle dries out the rice to get all the moisture out before they sell it and take the rice out of the rice bins.
Golden light from a Texas sunset illuminating stark white fields of cotton, green and yellow tractors leisurely making their way down the middle of Main Street, and a community that will always support you are just a few things one might experience if you came to my hometown in rural Texas. Matador, Texas isn't just a dusty old town in the middle of nowhere, it is a town that no matter who you are or what you are trying to do, hard work is always required; it is where I grew up from the day I was born, spent lazy summer days reading and writing abstract stories without distractions of people, traffic, or even the ever-present cell phone, and where I learned about a whole other side of society, one where the community gathers together for anything
The community I grew up in central Texas celebrated my heritage, honored differences in culture, and fostered personal growth and self-discovery. My parents, with the strong work ethic they developed on their family’s farms in Ghana, encouraged my brother and me to work hard and find ways to use our skills to be of service to others, which wasn’t hard to do growing up in Austin with its many avenues to become involved and take care of the community, whether it was helping to direct families through the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park during the winter or raise money for educational programs for underprivileged kids in the area through working the concession stands at the University of Texas at Austin. It was this collaborative mindset that Austin
Growing up in Capital Heights, Maryland was never easy. At the time the crime in that City was to me, at its peak, there were shootings, robbing’s, and bad influences around every corner. Every day I got up early and walked out my little house sitting firmly on the hill, down the street to John Edgar Howard Elementary, the school I attended at the time. Yes, the neighborhood was rough, but I was fortunate enough to have a strong support system. My Grandmother made sure to wake me up every morning to haul me of to school where I would meet my loving, devoted teachers and coaches.
From the stories my mother has told, the journey from Morelos, Mexico to El Paso, Texas was treacherous. From the dirty, murderous streets of Tijuana to the endless hot Chihuahuan desert. My mother and my four older siblings, who were of the ages of seven, five, three, and two, were part of a group of 15 people. They were lead by a guide who knew the desert well and had taken many others before them to the land opportunity. It took 16 days to reach to El Paso, Texas.
I’ve completed my move to Houston. I traded in my Maryland license for a Texas one. With that said, I’ve found a new church home. I joined Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church on January 13th. The church is very similar to STCF.
Life is based on a foundation of decisions and circumstances compiled on a precarious perspective of the user. The structure often relies on small and often overlooked elements. They receive no recognition, yet are the very reason for its prosperity. Trade towns and old docks are the lifeblood of the world, but best suited away from the public eye. Meant for the undesirables to deal with.
My home state is Texas, and a problem Texas faces is an overall mindset of systemic racism, sexism, and xenophobia. Texas is a very conservative state, thus many of the policies passed by our legislation are written at the expense of women and minorities. Although I might sound highly critical of our state government, I do not believe that these negative mindsets are deliberate attempts to put others down, I feel that it is simply an ignorance to the issues women and minorities face, and a lack of empathy. Ignorance is easily countered by thorough education. The easiest way to solve this is for us constituents of these politicians, to bring the issues that affect us to the forefront.
I used to have this grudges in my heart when everything go hard that would made me wanted to blame my parent. But I can’t because I was not raise to think that way. When I come to America, I was eleven years old and no one asked me if I wanted to come it just happen in a second. I was in a cold place with extended family that I never met before and that one person who raise me and made me feel secure was still back in the country. I had to lived months without her and next thing you know I adapted and convince myself they are doing this because the wanted the best for me.
The greatest journey I went on was moving from New York to Texas. My family and I had packed up the van, and we were driving to Texas to meet up with our moving truck. I learned a thing or two on our trip. One thing I learned is that change is ok. Another thing I learned is to follow where God wants you to go.
Although it was only about a five minute drive to the vet from my house, it felt like an eternity. The car ride there was silent, even Dallas, which scared me more than if he were crying. At least then, I would know if he was still alive. We came to a stop and we jumped out of the car. Dallas wasn’t breathing, which meant we were running out of time.
When I was 14 I had to move to San Clemente, California. I had already recently moved temporarily to Texas while a house was made ready for us on the military base. “The house is ready!” my mother had said excitedly, after being on the phone for a few minutes. “It’s time to go back?”
My father, Chingachgook, my brother, Uncas, and I were visiting our friends on the Frontier. Life on the frontier was hard, and days were constantly filled with fear and hard work. People living on the frontier grew their own food, and lived in log cabins. The French and the Indians constantly would attack because they wanted everyone to fear them. While we were on the frontier, we learned that John, the father of the frontier families, did not want to volunteer in the war because he feared Indians would attack his family.
Can you guess where my first trip was to? In May 13, 2003, I had my first trip to El Paso Texas. I woke up at 8am I was super excited and nervous at the same time, because I knew this trip would be a great experience for me. I was going to take a plane for the first time.
Alabama Trip My mom and and dad told me in December that we were going to Gulf Shores, Alabama to visit my grandparents. Gulf Shores is the southernmost town in Alabama, located on the north coast of the Gulf of Mexico. I have been there twice when I was little. I remember that I collected seashells and went swimming with Boppa in the pool.
