My Special Place - Querencia Final

If I had to pick one place to be my special it would be my grandparents house, located in Jamestown, Virginia. All the way across the United States. It is a 4,693.18 mile trip from here to Virginia. A total of 3 flights. The first one is 8 hours, the second one is 3 hours, and the last one is 1 hour, and that's just going, imagine coming back. Kind of far, I know, but the 14 hour flight is very worth the wait.

Every year me and my family would go visit my dad's side in Virginia. We have more than 20 relatives up there and that's not even counting the ones down here in Hawaii. When visiting it had felt as if time just stopped and that I was in this other time zone with my family. One where I wouldn't have to worry about my problems or be stressed. One where I get to let all my negativity out the door. As I walking into the door I hear my grandma cooking in the kitchen, my cousins screaming and playing in the living room, and my Aunties and Uncles talking in the dinning room. I can smell the won tons and filipino food.

My favorite time of the year to go is in Winter, when my grandma brings out her Christmas decorations and decorates the living room. It's the time of year my grandma bombards the freshly bought Christmas tree with mini Santas and snowman's. When the soft snow just covers 2 inches of the ground. And when we all sing Christmas songs while making our gingerbread cookies.

There are countless memories that I have there. From when my cousin spilled his funnel cake on me, or my first time tasting Freal's in 2009, or when we surprised my grandparents, every time we go there seems to be something that makes me want to stay there forever. When it's time to leave it feels as if I'm leaving one part of me there, which makes me want to come back every year. And when I do go back, I'm reunited with my other half; my Querencia, where the rest of my family is.

Picture Frame Paragraph

I can feel the cold ocean around me. The blinding sun is about to rise above the horizon--just the time in which my family starts setting up the tables and tents for the family get-together. I head out to the shower to go help unpack; shivering with every step. The salty taste of the ocean water still lingers in my mouth, though, it is soon to be cured by the pupu’s my mother has already prepared. Spicy ahi, edamame, peanuts; they are the beginning of the delicacy to come.

It’s only been a short period of time before I dove back into the now warm water, thanks to the sun. Looking to the shore, I can see that my cousins have arrived; most of which seek to have a great time. The water sloshes around as we unload our water guns onto each other. The smell of barbeque is like a calling us to feast on lunch. Walking back to our picnic area, I am greeted not only by the typical reggae music, but with my aunties and uncles who I haven’t seen since our last get-together. We share stories built up from the time frame that we haven’t seen each each other--the people we’ve met, the achievements we’ve made, and much more. Snap! Another picture for us remember. We begin to depart, but it is always “A hui ho’u!”; until next time.

My Special Place - Querencia Final Draft

It's kind of hard to pick one specific place that is special to me, but if I had to pick one place it would be in Jamestown, Virginia. This is where my grandparents house is located, all the way across the United States. It is a 4,693.18 mile trip from here to Virginia. A total of 3 flights. The first one is 8 hours, the second one is 3 hours, and the last one is 1 hour, and that's just going, imagine coming back. Kind of far, I know, but the 14 hour flight is very worth the wait.

Every year me and my family would go visit my dad's side in Virginia. We have more than 20 relatives up there and that's even counting the ones down here in Hawaii. When visiting it had felt as if time just stopped and that I was in this other time zone with my family. One where I wouldn't have to worry about my problems or be stressed. One where I get to let all my negativity out the door.

The one place place I love being is at my grandparents house. It is a two story house with 4 rooms, 2 bathrooms, one kitchen, one garage and 2 living rooms, it is a very traditional house made a long time ago. I can't help but smile or ponder about the memories I have up there. Whether it be Winter or Summer there was always something to do or somewhere to go. My favorite time of the year to go is in Winter, when my grandma brings out her Christmas decorations and decorates the living room. We would also go to Busch Gardens (an amusement park) and ride roller coasters and walk through their "Winter Wonderland".

There are countless memories that I have there. From when my cousin spilled his funnel cake on me, or my first time tasting Freal's in 2009, or when we surprised my grandparents, every time we go there seems to be something that makes me want to stay there forever. When it's time to leave it feels as if I'm leaving one part of me there and when next year comes around and we go back, I feel whole again. 

My Special Place - Querencia Draft

It's kind of hard to pick one specific place that is special to me, but if i had to pick one place it would be in Jamestown, Virginia. This is where my grandparents house is located, all the way across the United States. It is a 4,693.18 mile trip from here to Virginia.

Every year me and my family would go visit my dad's side in Virginia. We have more than 20 relatives up there and that's even counting the ones down here in Hawaii. When visiting it had felt as if time just stopped and that I was in this other time zone with my family, one where I wouldn't have to worry about my problems or be stressed. 

The one place place I love being is at my grandparents house. It is a two story house with 4 rooms, 2 bathrooms, one kitchen, one garage and 2 living rooms, it is a very traditional house made a long time ago. I can't help but smile or ponder about the memories I have up there. Whether it be Winter or Summer there was always something to do or somewhere to go. My favorite time of the year to go is in Winter, when my grandma bust out her Christmas decorations and decorates the living room. We would also go to Busch Gardens (an amusement park) and ride roller coasters and walk through their Winter Wonderland. 

There are countless memories that I have there. From when my cousin spilled his funnel cake on me, or my first time tasting Freal's in 2009, or when we surprised my grandparents, every time we go there seems to be something that makes me want to stay there forever. When it's time to leave it feels as if I'm leaving one part of me there. 

Words From The Heart Graphics

My Special Place

No this place is not a park or my room, nor is it school or in a foreign country. My special place is in Williamsburg, Virginia. This is when my dad's side of the family lives. When we visit we always go to an amusement park called Busch Gardens. When your in the parking lot of this amusement park, not even inside, you could hear the roller coasters roaring and the screams that fill the air. When you walk up to the entrance they have people dancing, singing, and enjoying life. The park is based off of places in Europe. From France, Scotland, Ireland, England and Germany, you could visit all of the most fascinating places in Europe in one park. In the park you hear constant laughing, you see humongous smile, and feel the excitement of dropping 100 feet straight down. The rides or food don't make it my special place but the people that I go with do. My dad's family is one of the most greatest people I have ever met in the whole entire world. They are always there when you need uplifting and always there when your seeking adventure and what other place is there to go to seek adventure than Busch Gardens Williamsburg.