Being a military child can be tough. Making a difference in the community is something each person in the military does. You can do it, too! Making a difference in the community is something I not only enjoy doing, but it is also something that can relieve stress.
I like to make a difference by raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I am the 2009 Honorary Youth Candidate of the Year. This job of being the 2009 Honorary Youth Candidate required me to raise money, collect donations, auction items, and do different types of fundraisers. As a result of all my hard work I put into the fund raiser, I went to a dinner at the Skirvin Hotel and was able to take my friends and individuals that have made a difference in my life. These people included my three closest friends, my Mom, Grandma, two of my Grandma's friends, and my fifth grade homeroom teacher. I received a gift from my teacher. It was a Willow Tree figurine and was very neat. My Dad was not able to make it due to being stationed at Fort Leavenworth for a school that he had to complete for the Army.
Helping your community is not only good for everyone involved, it is also good for you. You learn responsibility and many other things. I believe that my parents have raised me to help the community in any way possible. My Dad helps fight for the freedom of our country and I want to help my community, too.
In 2008, I raised over two thousand dollars for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I would encourage everybody, military children or not, to find a cause they like and fully support it. Helping makes you a better person.
If you join a cause, be prepared to fully participate. Do not start and quit in the middle. It is a task that can take up a lot of your spare time. You want to put forth your best effort with the intent of helping others. It gives you satisfaction that you did something good for your community. My favorite part about helping the community is the feeling that you have helped to improve it for the better.
As a military child, giving back is just one trait that I have and am very proud of it. By serving your community, you could save someone's life and I consider that an honor. The world can be a better place just by doing one small thing. You do not have to do many great big things, but you can do one small act of kindness and might make an impact on someone's life. In order to be good at helping, you need to be fully committed and ready to serve. It is tough work, but it is definitely worth the work and time.
Loving what you are doing is also very important. If you do not fully understand and get what you are doing, you won't ever reach your full potential. It doesn't matter your color, height, weight, age, history, or anything else. You can help!
About Lauren Anderson
Lauren Anderson was born May 8, 1998 in Bambergl Germany. Her father is a US Army Field Artillery Officer and her mother is a stay-at-home mom. She is the oldest of three girls. Lauren is an athlete having competed in gymnastics, played soccer, as well as currently playing competitive basketball. Her team traveled to Walt Disney World in the summer of 2009 for the AAU National Championship where they placed 13th. Lauren has also received the "Best Team Player” award from Oklahoma Christian University’s basketball Cage Camp.
Lauren excels in her academic studies, having always had a straight A average. Lauren received the Presidential Award for academic excellence as well as being nominated for the Masonic Award. Lauren is currently in sixth grade and serves on her student council at school.
Lauren’s faith is very important to her. She enjoys attending church regularly as well as the many activities that her youth group does. Lauren hopes to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study chemistry.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Life as a Navy Kid, By Victoria Baker, Age 12
All people are different. We all come from diverse backgrounds and have different experiences that form who we are. Children who have parents in the military, although still different, all have similar experiences that help us grow as individuals. These experiences include: moving, making friends, dealing with a parent’s deployments, staying organized, and always being ready for the next move. These experiences are difficult, but military kids are able to handle these things after doing them so often. What you learn from these experiences doesn’t define who you are, they simply give you the confidence to let your true personality shine through.
One thing you do often as a military kid is move. Moving is difficult, even for the most experienced military kid, and I should know, I’ve moved six times! Military kids can adjust to just about any location around the world and have a wealth of knowledge because of these moves. I have lived in almost every corner of the United States. When you move around so often, you get used to traveling, and get to see just how beautiful our country and this world is. It’s something I have truly come to enjoy.
Moving into a new school and town can be hard, but it has become enjoyable for me because I know exactly what to do, and feel excited about a new chance to make new friends. Moving has helped shape who I am in that I have learned about so many different places and have developed ways to make friends more easily.
Organization is a helpful trait you learn as a military kid. When you move so often, it is important that you keep everything around you neat and orderly. Organization isn’t just about your possessions, it’s also a mindset. You are not just organizing your things, you are also keeping your life orderly. How exactly do you “organize” your life? I would recommend focusing on the things that are important to you, and then prioritizing them. I always found it helpful to make lists of things that are important to me. You can usually focus on what’s important to you if you write it all down on paper. Managing your stuff can be just as simple. My Dad always says, “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” This is a really good rule to follow when trying to organize your things. Organization isn’t just a trait that will be beneficial while you’re a military kid, it’s a trait that will serve you throughout your life.
Since I have moved so often, many positive things have happened. The one thing I wasn’t expecting is that my younger brother and I have become very close. I think the reason is, when you move from one place to another, you don’t know anyone when you first get there, and because of this, we really have to rely on each other. My brother and I help each other and have fun. My brother is especially good at making friends and I learn from him just as much as he learns from me. Like all brothers and sisters, we have our “moments,” but we are good friends, and help and support each other when we need it. I feel very fortunate to be so close to a sibling, because I know that lots of kids are just the opposite. My brother and I are both military kids and are learning from our life lessons together.
Deployments are the hardest part of being a military kid. Your Mom or Dad has to go far away for long periods of time. It is incredibly sad to say “good-bye” to a parent that you love, but you are able to handle them being away by writing emails, letters, and keeping in contact as much as possible. One thing my Dad always said that helped me was, “Know that I’m always thinking about you every second of every day.” It feels good to know that someone is thinking about you all the time! It’s a big job for my Mom, too, because now she has twice as much to do. When my Dad is away on deployment, it’s up to my Mom to handle many of the things that my Dad would normally do. Taking out the garbage, fixing the car, and maintenance around the house are just a few of the extra things my Mom has to deal with while my Dad is away. It’s a big job for her, but I try to help my Mom in any way I can. Some examples of the way I help are by feeding and walking our dog, making sure I am ready for school on time, helping in the kitchen, and studying extra hard for my tests. Because of this, we get along quite well, and when my Dad comes home, I continue to handle the same responsibilities. Every time my Dad goes on deployment, I learn so much about life and the responsibilities that go along with growing up.
The common experiences of growing up in a military household help us grow as individuals. Moving and dealing with my father’s deployments have helped me as a person because they have taught me important lessons. These lessons include courage, responsibility, and organization. Growing up as a military kid can be difficult and hard at times, but the experiences I have gained will help guide me towards a successful future.
About Victoria Baker
Hello! My name is Victoria Baker and I currently live in Woodbridge, VA where I’m in the 7th grade. I love to write and have even been published in the newspaper before! My Dad is a Commander in the United States Navy. We’ve moved around a lot. In fact, we’ve lived in five different states! I decided to write in the “Military Kids Speak” essay contest because I like to write, but mostly because I can relate to many other kids out there and I want to let them know that we all share a lot of the same experiences.
One thing you do often as a military kid is move. Moving is difficult, even for the most experienced military kid, and I should know, I’ve moved six times! Military kids can adjust to just about any location around the world and have a wealth of knowledge because of these moves. I have lived in almost every corner of the United States. When you move around so often, you get used to traveling, and get to see just how beautiful our country and this world is. It’s something I have truly come to enjoy.
Moving into a new school and town can be hard, but it has become enjoyable for me because I know exactly what to do, and feel excited about a new chance to make new friends. Moving has helped shape who I am in that I have learned about so many different places and have developed ways to make friends more easily.
Organization is a helpful trait you learn as a military kid. When you move so often, it is important that you keep everything around you neat and orderly. Organization isn’t just about your possessions, it’s also a mindset. You are not just organizing your things, you are also keeping your life orderly. How exactly do you “organize” your life? I would recommend focusing on the things that are important to you, and then prioritizing them. I always found it helpful to make lists of things that are important to me. You can usually focus on what’s important to you if you write it all down on paper. Managing your stuff can be just as simple. My Dad always says, “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” This is a really good rule to follow when trying to organize your things. Organization isn’t just a trait that will be beneficial while you’re a military kid, it’s a trait that will serve you throughout your life.
Since I have moved so often, many positive things have happened. The one thing I wasn’t expecting is that my younger brother and I have become very close. I think the reason is, when you move from one place to another, you don’t know anyone when you first get there, and because of this, we really have to rely on each other. My brother and I help each other and have fun. My brother is especially good at making friends and I learn from him just as much as he learns from me. Like all brothers and sisters, we have our “moments,” but we are good friends, and help and support each other when we need it. I feel very fortunate to be so close to a sibling, because I know that lots of kids are just the opposite. My brother and I are both military kids and are learning from our life lessons together.
Deployments are the hardest part of being a military kid. Your Mom or Dad has to go far away for long periods of time. It is incredibly sad to say “good-bye” to a parent that you love, but you are able to handle them being away by writing emails, letters, and keeping in contact as much as possible. One thing my Dad always said that helped me was, “Know that I’m always thinking about you every second of every day.” It feels good to know that someone is thinking about you all the time! It’s a big job for my Mom, too, because now she has twice as much to do. When my Dad is away on deployment, it’s up to my Mom to handle many of the things that my Dad would normally do. Taking out the garbage, fixing the car, and maintenance around the house are just a few of the extra things my Mom has to deal with while my Dad is away. It’s a big job for her, but I try to help my Mom in any way I can. Some examples of the way I help are by feeding and walking our dog, making sure I am ready for school on time, helping in the kitchen, and studying extra hard for my tests. Because of this, we get along quite well, and when my Dad comes home, I continue to handle the same responsibilities. Every time my Dad goes on deployment, I learn so much about life and the responsibilities that go along with growing up.
The common experiences of growing up in a military household help us grow as individuals. Moving and dealing with my father’s deployments have helped me as a person because they have taught me important lessons. These lessons include courage, responsibility, and organization. Growing up as a military kid can be difficult and hard at times, but the experiences I have gained will help guide me towards a successful future.
About Victoria Baker
Hello! My name is Victoria Baker and I currently live in Woodbridge, VA where I’m in the 7th grade. I love to write and have even been published in the newspaper before! My Dad is a Commander in the United States Navy. We’ve moved around a lot. In fact, we’ve lived in five different states! I decided to write in the “Military Kids Speak” essay contest because I like to write, but mostly because I can relate to many other kids out there and I want to let them know that we all share a lot of the same experiences.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
On the Navy's Wings, By Camila Arzola, Age 11
Life as a military kid isn't easy, but as with all things, it has a positive side, too. Looking over at the negative side just impresses people more. So on the negative side, you must move every one to three years, and let go of people you love. On the positive side, you'll see and meet people and places so magnificent, you can scan a history book saying “been there, done that.” Occasionally, you might just become a beloved history teacher's pet. You'll be able to impress all your teachers with your never-ending experiences. Just keep your mind open to all people and sights. See beyond the challenges.
Moving overseas is highly recommended. It's an awesome opportunity to travel to exotic places. Europe is probably the best place to move to for it holds some of the treasures of the world. France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, the Alps, Egypt, Turkey, and England are easy made destinations overseas. I've been to so many places, I just can't count them unless I'm some type of super genius. Let's just say I've been from Monaco, to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, to Pompeii, to Germany, and Turkey! The weird thing is, I haven't been to Disney or Six Flags or even Bush Gardens!
The best place I've been to is Turkey. People there are so sympathetic and kind; it's hard not to call them “sister,” “uncle,” or “auntie!” Some are quite persistent at making business, though. To make the salespeople go away, my family dressed up like the locals and we—the girls in my family—put shawls over our heads just like a nice storekeeper showed us. It was the best experience I ever had. We also went to the Hagia Sophia, an old monument that was first a catholic church and then transformed into one of the largest domes in the world and into a mosque. We also entered the blue mosque, known for the beautiful tiles used on the ceiling. I learned a lot about the Muslim religion and how girls are separated from boys so often. As my family entered the mosque, the whole thing was allowed to be seen by boys, but only a fraction of the whole thing allowed girls to be included.
The military is also a great place to make friends all over the universe, or just the world! As you move, you might notice your buddy list getting enormous. Do not panic; you will survive this experience of “address-explode-yculus.” Just calm down and get a new address book, yours might be exploding. Also remember to contact your close friends by phone, email, or Facebook. Remember time zones when trying to call or else your friend might ignore you for calling them at two in the morning. Please remember, without friends, we might as well be mindless clones. Friends make life more enjoyable and bearable. True friends stick by your side even if you're a million light years away.
Another big deal in military life is deployment. Deployment can be the most worrisome event in some people's lives. Dads are the one's who usually get deployed. If you're lucky enough, your dad will only be deployed up to twelve months. That doesn't mean you lose hope if your dad gets deployed for years in a dangerous place. Most come back from one of the most terrible things in the universe—war. If your dad is in war, send him letters letting him know your prayers are with him and you're always there for him.
Overall, military life is difficult for people of all ages. The sacrifices may be immense, but it also has fabulous opportunities. Like everything, it has it's up's, down's and slopes to deal with. Just avoid the slopes and look up. This goes with everything in life. Good luck!
Moving overseas is highly recommended. It's an awesome opportunity to travel to exotic places. Europe is probably the best place to move to for it holds some of the treasures of the world. France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, the Alps, Egypt, Turkey, and England are easy made destinations overseas. I've been to so many places, I just can't count them unless I'm some type of super genius. Let's just say I've been from Monaco, to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, to Pompeii, to Germany, and Turkey! The weird thing is, I haven't been to Disney or Six Flags or even Bush Gardens!
The best place I've been to is Turkey. People there are so sympathetic and kind; it's hard not to call them “sister,” “uncle,” or “auntie!” Some are quite persistent at making business, though. To make the salespeople go away, my family dressed up like the locals and we—the girls in my family—put shawls over our heads just like a nice storekeeper showed us. It was the best experience I ever had. We also went to the Hagia Sophia, an old monument that was first a catholic church and then transformed into one of the largest domes in the world and into a mosque. We also entered the blue mosque, known for the beautiful tiles used on the ceiling. I learned a lot about the Muslim religion and how girls are separated from boys so often. As my family entered the mosque, the whole thing was allowed to be seen by boys, but only a fraction of the whole thing allowed girls to be included.
The military is also a great place to make friends all over the universe, or just the world! As you move, you might notice your buddy list getting enormous. Do not panic; you will survive this experience of “address-explode-yculus.” Just calm down and get a new address book, yours might be exploding. Also remember to contact your close friends by phone, email, or Facebook. Remember time zones when trying to call or else your friend might ignore you for calling them at two in the morning. Please remember, without friends, we might as well be mindless clones. Friends make life more enjoyable and bearable. True friends stick by your side even if you're a million light years away.
Another big deal in military life is deployment. Deployment can be the most worrisome event in some people's lives. Dads are the one's who usually get deployed. If you're lucky enough, your dad will only be deployed up to twelve months. That doesn't mean you lose hope if your dad gets deployed for years in a dangerous place. Most come back from one of the most terrible things in the universe—war. If your dad is in war, send him letters letting him know your prayers are with him and you're always there for him.
Overall, military life is difficult for people of all ages. The sacrifices may be immense, but it also has fabulous opportunities. Like everything, it has it's up's, down's and slopes to deal with. Just avoid the slopes and look up. This goes with everything in life. Good luck!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Living in a Military Family – Making Friends, By Tajiana Beard, Age 11
It was the end of the 2008 calendar and the middle of the school year. I was in a new community and felt scared walking into my new class. I knew nobody and had no friends. I kept telling myself not to be scared and that it will be okay. As the day went on, I made more friends and I wasn't nervous anymore. I ended up having a nice teacher and great friends. I might have had a great school, but I just didn't feel safe at home. I liked the house, but for some reason, at night time I just couldn't sleep. I think it's because I didn't feel safe. I was just so used to my old house and my old room. For a while, I hardly slept at all. Sometimes I would just sleep on the couch.
Living in a new house wasn't the worst challenge. The hardest thing was getting to know the people in my neighborhood. At first, everyone was staring at me and I could hear people giggle at me when I walked by. Now, I have lots of friends. I actually made friends really fast, but I was just so scared. I usually am not shy, but I didn't know anybody. I started playing outside a lot and made lots of friends. I was still the new girl at school and everybody stared at me. I wanted to move back to my old school where everybody knew me.
This year, I had a new girl in my class. She was really quiet and I knew she felt like I had last year, so I started to talk to her. Her name is Payton, and now she's one of my friends. When I met her, I knew I wasn't the only one who has been the new girl who knew nobody.
Right now, everything's fine with me. For example, I have lots of friends. However, when I move again, all of this is going to start all over. I do love moving, but I hate leaving my school because I usually leave in the middle of the school year. I totally hate the thought of leaving my friends because I will miss them so much.
There is one thing that is good about moving. The good thing for me is getting to see all the different cultures because they're so cool and different and unique. Right now, I live in Japan and I love it. It is so beautiful, especially the seawall, because the waves are so cool. I love swimming in the ocean because it feels so good. The hiking trails are so beautiful, too, because of the awesome view. This is the first country out of the United States that I have ever lived in and that I have ever even visited. It's kind of weird that it's the only country that I have been to because I am in a military family.
I love it in Japan, but I miss my family and friends back home so much. I still talk to my friends in Texas and my family in Nebraska almost every day. I either email them or I call them on my Vonage phone (that I love). They always ask me when I am coming back to Texas and I always have to tell them "not for a very long time.” It was really hard on me to leave all of my friends behind. I have lots of friends here, but I will always remember my friends in Texas and they will always have a special place in my heart and mind. When I move away from Okinawa, I will make sure to stay in touch with my friends because I want to remember them just like I remember my friends from Texas.
When I first moved here, the only place I really found to make friends was at the Kadena Youth Center. Most people were really nice there and I always had fun. I joined clubs and helped the community by picking up trash and by doing lots of different other things. Almost everyday after school, I would walk to the Youth Center with my friends and sometimes we would stop by the Non-Commissioned Officers’ Club on the way and get a snack. I really love going to the Youth Center because I could have fun and hang out with my friends. It was also great because my mom couldn't pick me up after school, so I had somewhere to go and I didn't have to be home alone.
Being in a Military family can be really hard, but when you have friends, it makes it way better. If I didn't have friends, I don't know what I would do. I am going to have to leave my friends, but I know that when I move again, there will be new people there, and most of all, there will be new friends and a chance to make many new memories.
Visit http://militarykidsspeak.com/ for more information.
Living in a new house wasn't the worst challenge. The hardest thing was getting to know the people in my neighborhood. At first, everyone was staring at me and I could hear people giggle at me when I walked by. Now, I have lots of friends. I actually made friends really fast, but I was just so scared. I usually am not shy, but I didn't know anybody. I started playing outside a lot and made lots of friends. I was still the new girl at school and everybody stared at me. I wanted to move back to my old school where everybody knew me.
This year, I had a new girl in my class. She was really quiet and I knew she felt like I had last year, so I started to talk to her. Her name is Payton, and now she's one of my friends. When I met her, I knew I wasn't the only one who has been the new girl who knew nobody.
Right now, everything's fine with me. For example, I have lots of friends. However, when I move again, all of this is going to start all over. I do love moving, but I hate leaving my school because I usually leave in the middle of the school year. I totally hate the thought of leaving my friends because I will miss them so much.
There is one thing that is good about moving. The good thing for me is getting to see all the different cultures because they're so cool and different and unique. Right now, I live in Japan and I love it. It is so beautiful, especially the seawall, because the waves are so cool. I love swimming in the ocean because it feels so good. The hiking trails are so beautiful, too, because of the awesome view. This is the first country out of the United States that I have ever lived in and that I have ever even visited. It's kind of weird that it's the only country that I have been to because I am in a military family.
I love it in Japan, but I miss my family and friends back home so much. I still talk to my friends in Texas and my family in Nebraska almost every day. I either email them or I call them on my Vonage phone (that I love). They always ask me when I am coming back to Texas and I always have to tell them "not for a very long time.” It was really hard on me to leave all of my friends behind. I have lots of friends here, but I will always remember my friends in Texas and they will always have a special place in my heart and mind. When I move away from Okinawa, I will make sure to stay in touch with my friends because I want to remember them just like I remember my friends from Texas.
When I first moved here, the only place I really found to make friends was at the Kadena Youth Center. Most people were really nice there and I always had fun. I joined clubs and helped the community by picking up trash and by doing lots of different other things. Almost everyday after school, I would walk to the Youth Center with my friends and sometimes we would stop by the Non-Commissioned Officers’ Club on the way and get a snack. I really love going to the Youth Center because I could have fun and hang out with my friends. It was also great because my mom couldn't pick me up after school, so I had somewhere to go and I didn't have to be home alone.
Being in a Military family can be really hard, but when you have friends, it makes it way better. If I didn't have friends, I don't know what I would do. I am going to have to leave my friends, but I know that when I move again, there will be new people there, and most of all, there will be new friends and a chance to make many new memories.
Visit http://militarykidsspeak.com/ for more information.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
My Life as a Military Child, By Brian Burke, Age 12
Living abroad enables military kids to develop qualities that civilian kids may not acquire as quickly. Many military kids have developed similar qualities because they are what they are—kids in military families. Qualities such as being more accepting, being more trusting, and being able to make friends and reach out to people are part of every military kid. These are just a few of the extraordinary qualities we share.
I joined the Student 2 Student program at my school because I know what it is like to be new to a school, and know that it can be challenging. I want kids to feel accepted. In the Student 2 Student program, I show new students around the school and show them where important sites are, like the library, cafeteria, gym, nurse, bathrooms and their classes. I don't just show them around, I am very often one of their first friends at the school.
Most kids in America do not have to move once in their life. Some military kids have to move as many as eight times before they graduate from high school. I think that moving is a speed bump not a road block. And I think that it is an opportunity for many things.
Because of being a military child, I now see the world as an adventure that I can go on and learn and experience new things.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Living Abroad, By Ashley Hicks, Age 10
I have been moving most of my life. First, I was born in Colorado and I lived there, too. I lived there until I was one year old. Then, I went to Texas. I lived there for three years. That is when my dad joined the Army. After that, I left Texas at the age of four years old on my way overseas to Germany.
I liked a lot of things in Germany. It was fun in Germany. In Germany, my mom got a teaching job for DoDDS. I stayed in Germany for four years. My house in Germany was on the base. It was kind of big and I had a lot of friends. I really liked the food in Germany. It was very good. I have been a lot of places in Germany with my family.
Then we moved to South Korea. I really did not feel anything when I went to South Korea because I was very young. I did not understand why we had to leave our friends. I stayed there for two years. I had two different apartments in Korea. They were very big and roomy. I liked the food in Korea, too. It was very good.
Now I am in Japan. I am not sure how the food tastes, but it does not look very good. It could be good. I just have to try it. The feeling that I had when my mom told me that I was moving to Japan was happiness. However, I was going to miss my friends and the foods. It was sad telling my friends good-bye.
My sister wants to go back to the States, but my mom said no. I still think about my friends in Korea and Germany. Are they still there? Do they remember or miss me? I still keep in touch with my best friends on the email. When I moved here to Japan, the movers kept on breaking our things. The day we got here in Japan, we got our cell phones. The second day we got our car. We were still house hunting then. When we found a house, it was very big and cost a lot of money. My house has four bedrooms, but the fourth one we use as a computer room.
My family and I have been to three different continents. And I have visited over twenty different places in Europe and in the United States. I know people who have lived in one place and never went anywhere. I have been to many different schools and sometimes the same one. I have many different friends all over the world, too.
Sometimes I like living abroad, but sometimes I do not. My life, being part of a military family, is very interesting. My home has always been overseas since my dad joined the Army. The way I feel about overseas is that at first I didn't care where we went. Then I started missing my friends and realized I cared.
I am ten years old now and have been half way around the world. Since I was four years old, I have been overseas. It has been six years and I'm ready to leave. So this year, I am moving back to the United States. I am going to North Carolina for one year. Then I am going to Virginia for I don't know how long. I am happy that I am going back to something that I know. I am happy to go back with all of my family. Just being back home in America is the best feeling as long as my family is together. I have gone to school in the States before, so it is like nothing different. I will miss overseas and having to leave my friends that I made over here in Japan. Japan was fun, but very expensive. I will miss my school and everyone in it. I hope to do well at my next school and not make too much trouble for the new teacher. I will miss my old teacher, Ms. Turner.
Moving is very fun, but sometimes hard on you. You have to have courage and a positive attitude when you come to a new place. Try to make the best of it. You might like that place. Give it a try.
I liked a lot of things in Germany. It was fun in Germany. In Germany, my mom got a teaching job for DoDDS. I stayed in Germany for four years. My house in Germany was on the base. It was kind of big and I had a lot of friends. I really liked the food in Germany. It was very good. I have been a lot of places in Germany with my family.
Then we moved to South Korea. I really did not feel anything when I went to South Korea because I was very young. I did not understand why we had to leave our friends. I stayed there for two years. I had two different apartments in Korea. They were very big and roomy. I liked the food in Korea, too. It was very good.
Now I am in Japan. I am not sure how the food tastes, but it does not look very good. It could be good. I just have to try it. The feeling that I had when my mom told me that I was moving to Japan was happiness. However, I was going to miss my friends and the foods. It was sad telling my friends good-bye.
My sister wants to go back to the States, but my mom said no. I still think about my friends in Korea and Germany. Are they still there? Do they remember or miss me? I still keep in touch with my best friends on the email. When I moved here to Japan, the movers kept on breaking our things. The day we got here in Japan, we got our cell phones. The second day we got our car. We were still house hunting then. When we found a house, it was very big and cost a lot of money. My house has four bedrooms, but the fourth one we use as a computer room.
My family and I have been to three different continents. And I have visited over twenty different places in Europe and in the United States. I know people who have lived in one place and never went anywhere. I have been to many different schools and sometimes the same one. I have many different friends all over the world, too.
Sometimes I like living abroad, but sometimes I do not. My life, being part of a military family, is very interesting. My home has always been overseas since my dad joined the Army. The way I feel about overseas is that at first I didn't care where we went. Then I started missing my friends and realized I cared.
I am ten years old now and have been half way around the world. Since I was four years old, I have been overseas. It has been six years and I'm ready to leave. So this year, I am moving back to the United States. I am going to North Carolina for one year. Then I am going to Virginia for I don't know how long. I am happy that I am going back to something that I know. I am happy to go back with all of my family. Just being back home in America is the best feeling as long as my family is together. I have gone to school in the States before, so it is like nothing different. I will miss overseas and having to leave my friends that I made over here in Japan. Japan was fun, but very expensive. I will miss my school and everyone in it. I hope to do well at my next school and not make too much trouble for the new teacher. I will miss my old teacher, Ms. Turner.
Moving is very fun, but sometimes hard on you. You have to have courage and a positive attitude when you come to a new place. Try to make the best of it. You might like that place. Give it a try.
Monday, December 6, 2010
A Military Life, By Ruth Burgess, Age 12
Life in the military is supposed to be hard, they say, but I don't agree with them. Maybe it's because I've spent my whole life in a military family, and that I don't know what it feels like to settle down and stay in one place for the rest of my life. Maybe it's because I'm so used to barely seeing my father, or because I'm accustomed to saying good-bye every two or three years. Maybe it's because I'm so used to moving to different places, always being the new kid. But to me, life in the military is exciting, and if I mess up, I can always start again in a new place. My freedom is much larger than any normal child because overseas I live in a protected, safe community. The expenses are surprisingly low where you can buy cereal for two dollars, or a loaf of bread below a dollar.
I've visited places that no child has ever dreamed about going. I've been in China and climbed the Great Wall! I've been to Egypt and have walked in the pyramids! I've visited and lived in so many places, and experienced so many wonderful events. It's hard to believe all of this could fit into a twelve year old. I cannot deny that social life is hard, leaving the friends you have been with, and thinking you might never see them again. It might be hard to adjust to the people around you, who are not talking in the same language, or maybe in restaurants you are thinking, “Squid with fries? Where can I have a decent American meal?”
In my opinion, it's worth it. If I had a chance to settle down and stay in one place forever, I wouldn't want to take it. Why? Because I enjoy having more responsibility than other people. I love how I get to go and live in exotic places and see different cultures. These opportunities that I have, these experiences, are things that I treasure. And I would never, ever, want to 1eave.
I've visited places that no child has ever dreamed about going. I've been in China and climbed the Great Wall! I've been to Egypt and have walked in the pyramids! I've visited and lived in so many places, and experienced so many wonderful events. It's hard to believe all of this could fit into a twelve year old. I cannot deny that social life is hard, leaving the friends you have been with, and thinking you might never see them again. It might be hard to adjust to the people around you, who are not talking in the same language, or maybe in restaurants you are thinking, “Squid with fries? Where can I have a decent American meal?”
In my opinion, it's worth it. If I had a chance to settle down and stay in one place forever, I wouldn't want to take it. Why? Because I enjoy having more responsibility than other people. I love how I get to go and live in exotic places and see different cultures. These opportunities that I have, these experiences, are things that I treasure. And I would never, ever, want to 1eave.
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