Always Depending on My Sister

I’ve always wanted more out of life because I grew up always depending on my older sister. As I grew up, I wish I was more independent when I was younger. I have an older sister where I had follow her steps as I lived my life.

Growing up, I had my sister do everything for me because I was younger than her. My mother always had her help me through life because since she was older, she knew more than me. My mother would tell her to do my reports and projects for me when I was in elementary school because my mother wanted me to get good grades. I didn’t need to worry about getting my reports and projects done before the due date because my sister is always taking care of that. But I wanted to do it myself because I really wanted to earn and learn from it. I always had to depend on my sister for something like setting up the computer, the TV, or searching for information. I didn’t like depending on her because I want to be independent and do tasks by myself. Sometimes I felt like I was useless because I would get things done for me.

My sister and I are becoming nurses. I go to a different college and I’m taking different courses in our majors. My mother annoys and gets me mad because she tells me that I need to take the same courses she took because she thinks that I don’t know anything about my major. But she doesn’t know that my school has different requirements from her school. She always goes to my sister to tell me what to do because since she is older, she assumes that I don’t know as much as she does. She never listens to me because my sister is always involved in my life and assumes she is always right.

I wish I were less dependent on my sister and more independent because I’m always following my sister’s steps. That’s why I want more out of life because I want to do things myself instead of having someone do it for me. I like to be independent because as I grow up, I won’t need to depend on anyone. I don’t like doing everything my sister does because I’m different from her. 

Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space

In the essay, "Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space" by Brent Staples I identified myself as the women who saw the worst of him in Brooklyn because he described the woman's behavior towards a stranger and that's how I would act around individuals that I feel they might be threatening to me. He specifically said, "They seem to have set their faces neutral, and with their purse straps strung across their chests bandolier-style, they forge ahead as though bracing themselves against being tackled." His essay affected my reading by getting a new perspective of how the individual's view are when they are being judged differently. The individuals may be harmless but most women, including myself, take precautions because we fear getting raped, mugged, and etc. Women are vulnerable to street violence and we don't want to take a chance so we are judgmental with our surroundings.

Memories of My Childhood

The thing I always remember when I think of my childhood is my best friends, Vanessa and Jamie. I think of all the memories I spent at my elementary school with them. Everytime I remember something that happened to me with my best friends, I wish I could relive those days because back then, I wasn't as serious and focused about school as I am now. 

For example, one time in the 8th grade, we were in math class and I was telling them a story that I found amusing. As I was telling them the story, I pretended to cut my hair because that's how the story went. When I was demonstrating it, I accidentally cut a huge portion of my own hair. My best friends found it hilarious and even though it was embarrassing, I was laughing with them. It was a memory that you have to be there personally to find it funny. There was another memorable time when one of my best friend, Vanessa and I, in first grade, didn't want to be at school, so we pretended to be sick so we could be sent home. Our plan worked and we even went to her house together until my mother picked me up. And another time in sixth grade, Vanessa and I sat in the back of the class together and all we did was eat snacks and write each other notes during lecture. Until today, my old classmates find it amazing how my best friends and I are still close. In elementary school, we were inseparable and it will remain the same in the present and future.

The memories with my best friends are priceless and I will cherish them forever. When I remember about my childhood, my best friends are the first thing that comes up in my mind because being with them reminds me of all the good times we had together.