Personal Narrative: A Survivor's Survival

Growing up with a father in the military, you move around a lot more than you would like to. I was born just east of St. Louis in a city called Shiloh in Illinois. When I was two years old my dad got the assignment to move to Hawaii. We spent seven great years in Hawaii, we had one of the greatest churches I have ever been to name New Hope. New Hope was a lot like Olivet's atmosphere, the people were always friendly and there always something to keep someone busy. I used to dance at church, I did hip-hop and interpretive dance, but you could never tell that from the way I look now.

That is how I prepare a simple yet satisfying meal for my family that takes roughly 45 minutes to prepare. Cooking meals like this saves money compared to going to restaurants all the time. I spend 15 dollars to make this rather than 25 to feed my family at McDonalds. If you’re either the cooker or the eater you get satisfaction by seeing your family enjoy the meal you prepared or enjoying the meal your loved one prepared.

I have been in the Marine Corps for roughly three and a half years and throughout that time I have done many things. Most of the things that I have done were with Combat Logistics Battalion 26. For three years, I worked with that unit through work ups and a deployment and I have seen and done many unique things. However, nothing I did with CLB 26 felt fulfilling, but that all changed when I changed units to CLB 8.

It’s strange to think that the 2009 drama about Julia child, called “Julia and Julia”, was what evoked my passion for food. Not food exactly, but the plethora of healing properties it may contain. I’m not referring to your basic scrambled eggs or buttered toast, instead, I became fascinated in aromatic Thai curries and the restorative properties of cinnamon. I bought my first cookbook in 8th grade, and prepared myself for the destructive summer ahead. Fried pans and burnt noodles stayed fragrant in the air for weeks upon their demise. Apple rinds and decayed broccoli florets filled our trash bag to the brim, trapping its stench only slightly. As any 12-year old, I eventually gave in to the hard-earned truth that it was highly unlikely

togethers with family. It doesn’t have to be chilled nor do you have to bake it. You can serve it

My mom is a great cook. She has always loved cooking anything but the best thing she cooks is Green Bean Casserole, for Thanksgiving dinner. She always prepares it with so much love for us to enjoy. She begins by slow cooking the beans for two hours. They are hard at first but through

One of the golden rules when buying a trendy fashion garment is to exercise caution because trends are short-lived. You should beware of micro trends in particular because they are usually only around for a season, sometimes less. Ideally, you should buy a trendy item early on in the fashion cycle before it hits the mainstream before it is considered, in fashion circles, to be on the way out. The time to buy into a fashion trend is when the celebrities and models are seen wearing it. The problem is that new up-and-coming trends are hard to get hold of before they hit the mainstream. If you do manage to find a garment demonstrating the latest cutting-edge trend in a fashion-forward boutique then you are likely to pay an arm and a leg for it.

Summer: the season of ice cream, beaches, air-conditioned cinemas, and 30 lb cardboard boxes full of clothes and books. By the fourth quarter of my sophomore year, I could envision the rest of my high school life unfold as if flipping through a scrapbook brimming with photographs and jotted captions. A rising upperclassmen, I had full conviction that by 2018, I would play varsity doubles tennis, attend Naugy Prom, and graduate alongside the 250 people I had known since middle school, some even from kindergarten. Naugatuck, CT had been my home for all 16 years of my life—and despite hopping from apartment to house when I was 5, I couldn’t fathom changing towns, much less before I departed for college.

“Not for the first time, an argument had broken out over breakfast at number four Privet Drive. Mr. Vernon Dursley had been woken in the early hours of the morning by a loud, hooting noise from his nephew Harry’s room.” — these are the words that framed my childhood. Unlike other children, who were raised to spend time playing outside, I was raised alongside a young British wizard with a scar on his forehead and a penchant for finding trouble. Of course, the adventures of Harry Potter are not actually fact; however, to a boy gleefully resting on his mother’s lap their authenticity was never in question. I can still remember so many things about the way that she would read to me on those lazy Sunday afternoons. Entranced by her soft voice rising and falling as each syllable passed over her lips, I sat and dreamed for endless hours.

Preparing a simple meal of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup was a rather time consuming, frustrating experience, but it did give me a new perspective about the work that goes into a meal.

It was a warm sunny day in May, and it was almost the end of the school year. Bus 1995 was full of annoying and yelling kids.

My struggle was when I hurt my wrist when I was 12. I was playing basketball at Spiece Fieldhouse for my SportOne team. We were playing a pool play game for a tournament on a Saturday and the tournament was on Sunday. I sprained my wrist falling on the floor.

My favorite meal is served at my house and almost anyone can make it. It is served in a bowl with a side dish on a plate. The favorite part of my meal is the dessert. When I have this meal I lick my lips because I know it is going to be a good day. The perfect meal is a twenty oz can of invigorating Dr. pepper with three packs of beef roman noodles, and an side of chocolate covered strawberries. When cooking the roman you are supposed to use two cups of water per one pack, but little secret do one and you get a ton of flavor. While you take each bite this meal satisfies your taste buds and I never get tired of it.

Regardless of whether you are a very beginner or a skilled chef or mom who cooks every day, this little guidebook should always be on hand. The reason is because this cookbook provides a simple solution for your healthier and happier life. These are basic food and cooking guidance. And simple solutions are always the best solution, right?

Saving money, eating healthier, and engaging in a great bonding activity with my children are the rationale for me accomplishing my goal of cooking more homemade meals. I will prepare lean proteins, whole grains, and plenty of fresh vegetables, which will lead to healthier eating habits and ultimately a healthier life.