Querencia Final Draft

            I hopped off of the car feeling the humid weather of the Philippines touch my skin, which I ignore because I have just arrived at my grandmother’s house. Just seeing the place where I took my first few steps, the place where I use to go every year to visit my dad, the place where I call my second home, made me want to stay there forever. As I opened the tall red gates, hearing the squeaking sound of it opening, the butterflies started rushing through my stomach. I then see my uncle’s dogs running towards me as if I was a brand new dog toy. I remember as a child, every time I visit this place, my love for animals grew stronger and stronger. Rushing into my grandmother’s house to greet her with a big hug after not seeing her for a couple of years was very heart warming. And seeing my previous nannies brought back memories on how we would always walk in the blazing sun to get some food and drinks just for fun. As the days go on, my mind would start to clear almost as if nothing were to ever bother me. Being with my family is one the few things that relieves my stress. Unlike all the other places, not being in the Philippines all the time makes it an even more special place for me to be in the right state of mind.

            I could smell the food cooking in my grandmother’s kitchen the minute I walk in. My sister and I would help her prepare the table by placing a scoop or two of rice on each place. But even though my sister’s scoops were way better than mine, my grandmother would just smile at me, letting me know that im doing a good job. I could hear the sound of my parents and relatives enjoying their selves as they tell stories on how they have been throughout the time they haven’t seen each other. But I stay in the living room, which is one of my favorite rooms in the entire house. I go there to watch some television, to talk with my aunts and uncles, or even just to play around with my sister’s dog. Little things like these makes up for a lot of the insignificant problems back home. But even though im here for only a short period of time, I try my best to refresh myself through my time in this house. I felt the feeling of being completely free around my family. I wouldn’t have to worry about my appearance around them, Im not expected to be the person society wants me to be, I wouldn’t have to worry about school, but most importantly in this place, I am myself.

            I would walk into my grandmother’s room seeing her all her nick-nacks and pictures of each and everyone of her grandchildren. The soothing feeling of being in this room send out good vibes all around her house unlike any where else I have ever been. Being addicted to eating candy I stand on my toes quickly noticing her favorite sweets, which were tootsie rolls and strawberry sour belts. But sadly it wasn’t for any of us and every once in a while, if we were good, she would reward us with some of it. I then walk towards my cousin’s room where a lot of foolishness takes place. My sister, cousins, and I would get in tons trouble for doing the most ridiculous things. And every day I spend in that place I had absolutely cleared my mind of any negative thoughts and I owe it all to this special place, which was to me, Querencia.  

Graphic Card

Querencia Draft

          I hopped off of the car feeling the humid weather touch my skin, which I ignore because I have just arrived at my grandmother’s house. Just seeing the place where I took my first few steps, the place where I use to go every year to visit my dad, the place where I call my second home, makes me want to stay there forever. As I open the tall red gates, hearing the squeaking sound of it opening, the butterflies start rushing through my stomach. I then see my uncle’s dogs running towards my as if I was a brand new dog toy. I remember as a child, every time I visit this place, my love for animals grew stronger and stronger. Rushing into my grandmother’s house to greet her with a big hug after not seeing her for a couple of years was very heart warming. And seeing my previous nannies brings back memories on how we would always walk in the blazing sun to get some food and drinks. As the days go on, my mind starts to clear almost as if nothing would every bother me. Being with my family is one the few things that relieves my stress. And not being there all the time makes it an even more special place for me.

            I can smell the food cooking in my grandmother’s kitchen the minute I walk in. My sister and I would help her prepare the table by placing a scoop or two of rice on each place. But even though my sister’s scoops were way better than mine, my grandmother would just smile at me, letting me know that im doing a good job. I can hear the sound of my parents and relatives enjoying their selves as they tell stories on how they have been throughout the time they haven’t seen each other. But I stay in the living room, which is one of my favorite rooms in the entire house.

            I walk into my grandmother’s room seeing her all her nick-nacks and pictures of each and everyone of her grandchildren. Being addicted to eating candy I stand on my toes quickly noticing her favorite sweets, which were tootsie rolls and strawberry sour belts. But sadly it wasn’t for any of us and every once in a while, if we were good, she would reward us with some of it. I then walk towards my cousin’s room where a lot of foolishness takes place. My sister, cousins, and I would get in tons trouble for doing the most ridiculous things. And every day I spend in that place I had absolutely cleared my mind of any negative thoughts and I owe it all to this special place, which was to me, Querencia. 

Vocabulary Words: Jubilant & Melancholy

Roots and Recipes: Pork Lumpia Final Essay

            It’s another one of my family gatherings, and one of the first things I would look for would be my mother’s pork lumpia, but of course there would be no surprise if there were any.  I made my plate and sat down on the table enjoying my food. Minute by minute my plate slowly became empty. Swallowing my last piece of my mother’s scrumptious pork lumpia, everything froze and with a blink of an eye I could see myself in my old, blue, teddy bear decorated room. I quickly got up and searched the house trying to find the rest of my family members, but no one was home. Living in a house, which is 10 steps away from my grandmother’s house, I go there to search for my parents. As I opened the door, I see my sister, my mother, and my grandmother sitting together on a table preparing to make lunch for the entire family. Curiously, I asked them what they were making. My mom replied saying that they were cooking pork lumpia as one of the dishes for our family lunch.  I had no idea what this “fork lumpi” was but still being half asleep I head to the couch to watch some television.

            Watching my favorite television show “Tom & Jerry” was my perfect way of spending my Christmas vacation in the Philippines. But then it stopped; my grandmother’s frying pan was making all these ticks and oil popping sounds that distracted me from my show! Irritably walking towards the kitchen I asked her why there were so much noise. “How do you think we’re gonna cook lumpia with out making noise, Nash!”  Without caring, I walked away, but stopped as I smelt the most heavenly smell of my grandmother’s cooking. My mother called me and my other family members to the table and said our grace and began to eat. My dad prepared my plate with rice and passed it to me. My mother on the other hand, asked my what I wanted to eat. Seeing all the different types of food on the big, round, wooden table I would see foods like pancit, spaghetti, soup, and steak, I asked my mom for whatever grandma was cooking, since that was the dish that caught my attention. She agreed and placed four pieces of lumpia on my plate and on the side she added some sweet chili sauce.  I thanked her and began to eat. At the first bite, I froze; I just remembered it was really hot. But as it got cooler, the flavor started to get to me. It tasted marvelous; it’s golden brown wrap containing the perfectly spiced meat, dipped in the sweet chili sauce made me take bigger bites until I finished my plate. I quickly asked my mother the name of this dish again. “I knew you would like it Jonas! It’s called pork lumpia!” “Why is it called lumpia?” I asked her. “ Since the original dish is Lumpia Shanghai, my grandfather’s mother was Chinese, who passed down the recipe all the way to us.”
             But back to present day, I sat on my seat and asked my mom why this dish so special to our family. “Well, besides the flavor and mouth watering taste, it makes a great finger food, it’s easy to make, and it’s perfect for bringing to celebrations. Also, even before you were born my dad use to cook this for me as a child, so I decided I should cook it for my kids too!” “Do you know how old you were when you first tried this food?” “I believe I was pretty young, I think I was 6 or 7 when I first tried it.” As we were cleaning up the table, I asked my mother when she would make this spectacular dish again. Laughing with a big smile on her face, she told me that since this dish is so simple to make, she would surprise me with it.