The Tension Of The Air Is Abundant

Moving to America, was a difficult transition for me. I had come to the realization that I wasn’t going to see my friends any time soon back in Iran and that was hard to overcome at a young age. I was alone as a child because my siblings are a lot older than me, and my parents’ had the challenge of starting over because they had left everything behind in Iran. However, that wasn’t going to get in the way of me succeeding in school. I have always been a fast learner, by the age of eight I had already learned four languages. Also, I was voted most improved by my classmate every year I was in Elementary School. This might not seem like a big achievement, but as a young student in a new country it was a huge motivation boost for me to improve every

I was taught to do a thorough job at everything I do and to greet everyone who entered the house. Since my father was a pastor that meant lots and lots of people. But, as time passed I began to feel as if the United States had a bigger part of me then Zimbabwe. It was where my parents went to work, where our house was and, where my friends were. After my mother completed her masters degree my father went back to Zimbabwe to teach at a College. We continued to live in upstate New York for some time until we moved to small town Iowa. After all the moving around I wasn’t sure where to call home. Lucky for me my mother has a strong sense of home and we return to Zimbabwe every three or four years for vacation. Our most recent trip began on December 2nd, 2015. Only then did I realise where home is. From learning how to polish a floor to moving to Iowa, every piece added to who I am today. Without these things I couldn’t be the Ntando I am today, and I wouldn’t be able to grow to be the Ntando I want to

It’s the day I have to move to the army's campsite. I grab my bag and swing them on my shoulder, it weighs a ton it feels like my shoulder’s gonna break. Sophie was peeking through my room door, as I was about to stand up she ran to the living room curled up into a ball making loud thud and sobbing noises. Outside of the house, I hug my mom as tight as I could, I don’t want to move any single inch of my bone. I want to stay like this forever. I felt a drop of water behind my shoulder and I know that it was her tears. I don’t want to leave them but I have to. It was time to let go but she didn’t want to, I grab her arm and slightly push them back.

Seven years earlier, I migrated to Hawaii when I was twenty-three. I had flown away from my mother and my life in the Philippines. Like young adults and being rebellious, I wanted to live on my own away from my mother 's roof. I left the city life I grew up with in the Philippines in hope of a better life in another country.

Back in my country, a seemly simple but actually meaningful event changed my perception of life forever. I was twelve years old when my science teacher told me: "if anybody in this life ask you to run a mile, go ahead and run two. Because in order to gain people's notion that you are capable of achieving something you have to overcome their expectations". Such words became since then, the keystone for my life. Three years later, these worlds materialized in what i know for being a critical part of my story. I moved to the U.S without a significant training in

Growing up moving between New Jersey and Puerto Rico has exposed me to diverse beliefs, languages, and history. When I was young my parents separated and as a result my mother relocated us to New Jersey. Thus, I learned English and interacted with many people from various backgrounds. In New Jersey, I was a girl scout for several years, and my experience in girl scouts has taught me valuable teamwork and leadership skills. Constantly switching between two places has made me a very open minded and curious person. It’s also given me an opportunity to develop my social and communication skills.

I always got my head in my books making sure that my grades were where they needed to be, I want to make make a bright future for myself and for my family. Being where I’m from children don’t live to see a new day, this is why I push myself even harder to graduate and finish college and get my career started, because I have this chance to make my life better than it was when I was a child. I’m happy that I didn’t let where I’m from change who I am as a person today. If I was still living in New Jersey I would probably be one of those kids that didn’t make the right decisions and hung around the wrong crowd. Moving to Virginia changed me as an individual, with a respect for other people and always making the right decisions.

Growing up in Hawaii was a unique experience for me that I doubt would. I’ve always seen Hawaii as the melting pot between American and Asian cultures. One of the most notable things about Hawaii culture is how laid back the people are. It common in the Hawaiian culture for people to take life a slower pace and not to stress out about life’s responsibilities. However, this laid back attitude also encourages the Hawaii people to develop a weak uncertainty avoidance. They love taking risks, and they have habits of making confrontations when it comes to solving problems. While it is not my nature to take unnecessary risks or fight with others, the laid back attitude of Hawaiian culture has helped me to take on a passive personality. This has its pros and cons, but I think it has helped me to stay calm when life takes stressful turns.

As the time for applying to colleges rolled around, my parents pushed for my sister and me to look at schools all over the United States. They wanted to give us a good education and also give us the opportunity they never had. Both of my parents had to attend college in Hawaii. I knew we were just a small island and that there was so much more to experience. I grew excited to have a chance to move away and embrace new knowledge, memories, places, and friendships that would last forever.

Have you ever thought that you would move to a completely new place and start everything from scratch? There are thousands and thousands of people moving from place to place for better opportunities, education as well as careers. There are lots of struggles that come along the road. It will be an individual’s self-motivation and encouragement that will push them forward in his or her life. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” (Lao, Tzu) and my new journey had started when I landed and started schooling here in United States. Moving to the United States and attending school here was a challenge I wasn’t sure up to, but hard work and determination, I was able to make friends and be successful.

It made me realize how far away some communities are from large city centers and it brought me to question the values gained through education when exploring our immediate community/landscape. What we learn is really based off where we are living at the time. It wasn’t until this moment that I realized the validity of a statement like “It’s a great place to raise a family”.  I am now beginning to question the community that raised me and how it has influenced me as a person and furthermore how it will translate into my

My mother was out of town, so I knew it was not her. I grew afraid of the strange woman in my house, the maroon-colored walls in my bedroom was giving me an ominous feeling, making my room look stained with blood. I went quietly out of my door and down the hallway, knowing that they were arguing in the kitchen by the volume of their voices. I paused in the middle of the hall, unsure whether to continue or to go back to my bedroom. I only decided on the former after I heard a muffled shout and the woman’s voice laughing. This decision was the biggest mistake of my life.

“Welcome home Father! We have missed you so much,” I cried. “Thank you, Mary I’ve missed you as well,” he said with a quick smile quickly turning back into a frown. “What is the matter; did I do something wrong,” I say getting frightened. “Oh no sweetheart, it is definitely not you it’s just that... never mind. Where is your mother?” “She went outdoors to hang the laundry,” I replied, biting my lip knowing that it’s my job to do the laundry.”Thank you,” he yells, already out the door. As I make my way outside, I see my father worriedly talking to my mother as a look of

Right before I graduated from high school, many letters and opportunities came to my door. I applied for many schools around the world. During that time, I was devastated to making my own decision. I was held captive by the idea of freshman students cannot keep up their academics records due to the change in environment, the place they choose to stay for their whole-4 years. I want to go to England but unfortunately, my family persuade me to go to America. So I decided to go to California. Stretching along the Pacific coast, the state is well-known as having cliff lined beaches. At first, I don’t think that one day I will get emotionally attach to this place. But the state has many wonderful places to go and

When I was eight-years-old I despised change, no matter what it was or how “good” the transition would be. Some would even comment that when it came to change, I was a prude child. However, the day that changed my life was when my parents said in the most optimistic tone that.“We are moving to the United States!” These words were my greatest undoing and the thought of leaving never crossed my mind ever. I remember being speechless and wanting to cry, but could not bring myself to. I wanted to stay in Tokyo, Japan, in the dark-wooden, two story house with tatami floors, and the sliding doors that were connected to each room, because it held the most precious memories of hide-and-go-seek to playing sumo matches against my cousins. However, my older sister bawled and begged my parents. To let us stay in Japan and that they could go. But my parents wanted all of us to stick together because family sticks together no matter what for the good in the worst of times. I remember trying to stay strong, just like Anpanman even though deep down I wanted to throw a fit because I hated change.