REFLEXIVE ESSAY

Not so long ago, English has been my most hated subject. I was never looking forward to any of those lecturing classes, it was not only because I was shy. Every English class felt like deja-vu, I did not feel like I was learning anything new. I was bored out of my mind and it reflected on my writing. We usually read books but I find myself asking “So what”, I was not getting the point. However, Most of those teachers, very brilliant talk over my head, as they go on about their life. Leaving my life very puzzled. At my beginning of my senior year, I embrace myself looking forward for more disappointment in my last English class at Malden High School. Little did I know that this class would turn out into one of the best class I have ever taken, along with Oral Communication class.

Entering room C-336, I knew there was something interesting, maybe the word that I want to use is strange but whatever it was made me want to be present every day to find out. Introducing ourselves, each student was asking to say something that nobody knew about themselves. I said my love for “Butterfly.” The teacher smiled and so did the students, I was expecting another reaction form them, maybe a simple “why.” This moment brought a feeling of warmness and welcome in me because I felt that my likes and dislikes was not a barrier anymore.

Throughout, this year I have wrote a lot of papers and I have notice improvement in all of them. My first piece Ted berrigan was very difficult because I did not know where to start. I t was my first time I was really trying to analyze a paper. However, I did no know where to start. I had a mixture of theories that resulted to mélange that bring to my longest break down. However, what I have notice I have being doing was trying to write what I thought was expected of me.

After, this incidence, I find myself looking forward to my teacher overacting behavior. He made me want to come to class because every day was something new, and I was able to take what I do and learn as I relate to it. The first novel that I had read was “The Stranger” strange indeed but it was the first book that I was able to notice personifications in different types of object. At first, I started to criticize the author in my writing but I learn to tries to put myself in the author’s shoes as I try to develop my essay.

Throughout the year long, I was able to express myself in a fashionable manner. I was able to learn more about myself which have lead me into being more confident in what I say and what I write. I have detected that indeed butterflies are part of me. For my independent reading, I choose a book that was recommended to me by middle school teacher, Ms Dumont who is now a teacher at Malden high. I let myself unwind through the connection that I felt between the author and I, who at the age of 12, came to the United State just like me, looking for a better life. It is her that clarifies the reason why that I have always being fascinated by butterfly. I am delighted for this experience.

By learning how I can use butterfly to describe anything that I wanted to by link the idea with any object, anything in this world. That’s was when, I felt connected with my surrounding, books, nature, neighbors and so much more. I am able to say this knowing know that I have written a three to four pages paper on a picture which I must say was pretty amazing. The piece was form a Kenyan born artist, wangechi Mutu, I am so glad that I have met her because she makes me feels that is all right to be different and be the person you want to be.

I have written a 15 pages paper, and sincerely would admit that it was a piece of cake for me because of what I have learn form Mister Gallagher. Also, I am definitely ready for research paper in college because what I have learned that time management is the key to a great paper.

Now, I see that English is not half bad. All I needed was someone to show me their love for the language. Most of my previous teacher, very bright, I feel like they taught English because they had to not because they love it. I had never found a reason to care for English until now. I am glad that I did

MY HERO

My father has taught me the value of life and how to respect and care for my surroundings. That person is my dad. My father is a man who lives by example. The only thing that worries him is the inability to do the right thing.

In Haiti, my father was the commander in chief of the main city local police. He was a well respected man. He tries to help as many as people as possible. Selfishness was not one of his qualities. One day, the Government wanted him to take on a task that was not morally right. Until now, my father never told us what type of job it was but he told us that he had refused a lot of money.

By refusing to accept that job, the government wanted to detain him. When I was four, my father flew to the United States leaving my mother, my four other siblings and I, in Haiti. My dad came to the United States with nothing but the shirt on his back. He had no family here. However, despite all of the calamities that he encountered, In the course of four years he was able to send for my mom. I hated him back then, because I did not understand why he would take away a person that I have known my whole life. I was Eight years old then.

Fours years later, when I was twelve my father was able to send for all four of us. He worked night and days, in other to do so, because my mom had difficulties finding a job because of the language wall. Now, all of his hard works pay off because, we have our own house.

Lately, I haven’t been seeing a smile on my father’s face. He has works so hard to send for my brothers and me here. However, now he is in debt because of him taking out loans for my brother’s education. What pains me is seeing them sitting at home, with no remorse. The money that he has worked so hard to make did no longer matter.

My father is my hero because through his calm personality, I have learned to never take the easy way out. He is my hero, because he does not expect the unexpected form me. He is my hero because he always comport like a true gentlemen. He is my hero because of his big heart and his courage to face the unexpected.

Butterfly

This Butterfly is know as Queen Alexandra Birdwing Butterfly. It is the world' both largest and rarest butterfly. I hope one day, I will be able to see one of them. I think its average body length is 7.5 cm.

Amazing

Nature's wonders

Summer Search

Dear Summer Search

Not so long time ago, I left my country to come America not knowing what to expect from a world that is different from my own; a world with different culture and language. However, in between that phase I went to a very challenging interview with you guys. Be that as it may, I knew the minute that I walk out of that I changed into a different person. I am gratified because after my interview, I feel that a weight was lifted from my shoulder. Owing to your support, I apprehend to open up to others. Before, I would participate in various activities however, because I am a taciturn person, I would not be notice by anyone. For instance, I could go volunteer somewhere, do whatever I was supposed to and later find my way out. Now, I take my time to interact with everyone. Now I am ask what happen to that shy and quiet girl. I became very sociable and such is life is my being part of the summer search program. What Summer Search make available for each of its student is like a dream come true. I think they have made me a better person by allowing me to see the different aspect of life.

Last year, I had the chance to go to Adirondack, New York on a field ecology program where for the first time I went hiking, canoeing. This trip was amazing, because I have learned my love for nature. This year, I went to Peru and Bolivia. Oh, my God! What an experience? My first week, I stay with my host family in a province called Urubamba. Despite our language barrier, my host family made me feels at home. During our time there, we volunteered at a school by painting their walls and teaching the Peruvian students about our culture through the "cha-cha" slide. However, one experience that has a great impact in my life was during my stay in Bolivia. I did hard biking on a trail know as "death Row". After completing this trail, I remember feeling so invincible. YES! I am thrilled that I went to Peru out all the choices that were offered to me by my mentor. I loved everything about Peru from the people to their taxi.

Coming back form this trip, I notice how I take a lot of things for granted such as the time that I spent with my family, the opportunity to make something of myself, lights, the water, and the Internet that we use everyday like crazy in my house. I see that I am pretty lucky because I have both my parents and summer search to be there for me whenever I fall which is pretty often and also they makes sure that I take the best path in my life

My College essay ( my favorite piece of writing)

Eight telephone lines per 1000 inhabitants, dilapidated ports and bridges, limited access to water, and low employment: this is life in Haiti. This reality, combined with my interest in math and architecture, has led me to pursue a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. At the age of eleven, I decided I wanted to be an engineer, wandering in a field, pencil behind my ear, watching my work being completed. My goal to improve the infrastructure of Haiti originates after being stuck beneath a bridge. That moment seemed like the end of my world, but the experience led to me realizing my goals.

This experience occurred during a visit to my grandparents’ home in the Haitian countryside. Many of the bridges we passed over throughout our journey were in bad condition. Despite that, many cars and trucks went over those bridges daily. The one bridge that I will never forget though is the one that my family chose not to cross. Instead we decided to cross the river underneath the bridge which resulted in us being stuck. As I looked up at the bridge above us, I noticed its rotten and moldy sections and was frightened by the possibility of it falling on us. After five minutes we were able to get out of the river but that experience showed me the work that needed to be done to bridges in Haiti.

In the weeks after this incident, I realized that I wanted to make a change. But how could I, when I had neither a wealthy family nor well-connected acquaintances. The only career available for a woman at the time was of a secretary, a seamstress, or a nurse. The thought of becoming an engineer was just a fantasy. However, my fantasy became more attainable once I got to taste this land of opportunity. In the U.S, I saw opportunity everywhere, even while sitting on the subway. I see advertisements for such things as colleges, job opportunities and free health care. As the train moved towards it destination I saw that the only one that could stop me from reaching my goal was me.

Thirty or forty years from now, I want to look back and see my contribution to society, especially in third world countries. I want to share my knowledge with future generations in a remarkable way. I have already begun building my own bridges to connect me to what I want to do in life. Every choice that I have made and will make in the future will benefit me in becoming the creative engineer that I have always wanted to be. Whether it’s from working hard in school to get good grades or taking a summer math class to improve in the subject, traveling to New York to participate in an Adirondack field ecology program, or to Peru and Bolivia to do community service. I have made decisions that have been my bridge to a better future and I cannot wait to see the other bridges that I will continue to build.

Crying does not come easily

Maman always says that I don’t have a heart; I need to learn how to control my emotion. But I don’t know how. I have come to realize that I live in a world where nothing comes as a surprise to me anymore. After, ton ton Macoute came to power, everyone is waiting for a change. They are hopeless citizen. I won’t say that a reform wouldn’t be nice especially in the situation we are in today, but hoping to a point where that’s all you do is just nonsense.

This morning, Maman asks me “would I cry if she dies?”

I answered: pouki which means why?

She got mad at me. Of course I would cry, I just thought that is a question she shouldn’t have asked me. I know I don’t cry easily. I know I am the kind of person who suck thing in and get on with their lives. But she is Maman and I love Maman.

La Plaine remains the same. Every night, Bullets are heard like fireworks night and day. I am tired of this whole mess. However now, it does not bother me as much as it did when it first started.

My classmates always ask me “how can I always complete my home works in time despite where you live.” Calmly, I respond: “when you are assemble together and gossiping on how much homework, we have in English, history class or counting the number of bullets shot each night. I am in the basement of my house with an oil lamp and starts doing my homework.

Those are old news; I don’t have time to spend in something that will bring me nowhere.

Today as I was coming home from school, in my sister’s car, I saw a man got hit by a car and died at the same moment.

My sister started to freak out, I had to shake her out of that phase to remind her that we were going somewhere. When we got home, she told my mom about the accident.

Seeing how calm as I was, she asked me “jenny where we you during the accident”

“With Sabrina, Maman, I was sitting in the passenger seat” I said calmly

She looked at me And Said “Why aren’t you in Shocked”

“Why should I be when what happened already happened not even my shocked can change that.” She looked at me and walked away.

People should not let emotion runs their lives. I witness an accident a Jacmel. Blood were everywhere. Bystanders are just walking by and start asking what happens. They talk between in each other so much that they had forget that someone was in need in front of them. I walk toward them and ask the lady in red “can I call any of your family that will be able to bring your friends to a nearest hospital” There is no such thing as an ambulance in Haiti.

If it wasn’t for me and of course my pocket phone that poor guy would have lost all of his blood. Being too emotional, people cannot think straight. That’s not what we need if we want to survive in a country whose power is getting abuse by the government.