Level 7

Life Explorer

There is a question that has been bothering me for a long time: “What is the meaning of life?”  I had been trying to find that answer all the time, until I realized that the answer to that question had already stayed with me for nearly 20 years. If someone asks me what that answer looks like, I would say there is an old man who is not very knowledgeable, but he is funny, experienced and always likes to explore new things. Although my grandfather dropped out of school in the third grade, he has been exploring throughout his whole life.

I believe that my grandfather will age gracefully, because I don’t really see much difference between his appearance now and  my impression that I had of him when I was a child. Every time I go to visit my grandfather, you can see there is a strong and a little fat man who always starts yelling my name when I am still a long way from him. You can easily recognize him from the crowd by his rough and deep voice, and every time I feel so embarrassed because he really sounds like a drake. He usually wears his favorite flip-flops, a pair of little bit shabby shorts and a light blue t-shirt with a pack of cigarettes in his pocket. He is kind of tall and his hairline has receded a lot but he is not bald. He always walks with long strides and confidence, so he walks like a soldier; Also he has awesome muscles in his arms, so sometimes he looks just like a young guy who just had his eighteenth birthday party.

He is our village ‘bully’ because he is a middle-age, dark-skinned man who looks strong and is almost bald. He also has a pair of thick eyebrows and a big nose. Some children in my village are very afraid of him. Some kids would think my grandpa just came out of prison, some of them even cry as soon as they meet him. But fortunately, my grandfather is a very cool and lovely old man. He has a chubby face, a pair of shiny eyes and you can see there is a big scar on his chin from a fight when he was a teenager. Every time I gave a thumbs up to the delicious food that he cooked, he would also show his slightly wrinkled smile while he was holding a cigarette. 

"Life used to treat me like a prisoner, but I regarded life as my teacher.” I remember this when he told me about his life. He is always full of curiosity about life and feels positive about life. If you don’t know him, you can probably tell his experience by looking at his hands. He is not a knowledgeable guy, but he is very excited about learning new things. He used to be a security man, sewer repairman, used car salesman, fitness coach and more. I remember when I was a grade 4 student, he got addicted to cooking. He watched TV all the time and he wanted to learn how to cook like a chef. The interesting thing is that he didn’t want to learn this skill from other people, so he started to analyze and research some dishes by himself. I can not imagine how much patience he took. Finally, he became a senior chef in our village and our family, and this was his first job since his retirement.

My grandfather is one of the people that I admire most, and his experience inspired me a lot in my life. He told me “exploring” is the meaning of life by his actions. He faces life very positively. He has failed many times and felt lost many times, but he was not afraid of failures. He told me "The process of struggle is always more important than the result.” He is the best life explorer in my heart.

Written by: Ziqing Tan-Kemp

My Superwoman

“Mom, mom, mom…!” as a child, I always called out to my mother, even when I didn't need help. Her name is Tuyet, and to me, she is a superwoman. She has a remarkable ability to multitask and accomplish many things at once. Many people have commented on how fortunate I am to have a mother like her. Her appearance will surprise you. I always refer to her as the 'Pink Girl' due to her vibrancy and the color she likes. I have learned a lot from her. Whenever I face trouble, I always seek my mother's help. My mother is not just a parent to me but also my teacher and friend. I could talk about her endlessly, and I'm proud to share how wonderful she is with others.

At 64 years old, she can surprise you with her appearance. She maintains a fit body by exercising every morning, starting with at least 30 minutes of yoga or aerobic exercises. Despite being only 5 feet 1 inch tall, she walks faster than me, possibly because she worked at a Vietnam hospital many years ago. Furthermore, the one thing that will surprise you is that she likes pink. She has many pink bags, shoes, and shirts. Thank God, just no pink trousers. You might think she is still young from the distance and behind. Looking closer, you'll notice that she has a slightly stooped back. I suppose that it's a sign of senescence. I always feel sad seeing my mother’s back because I realize she is getting older. Another thing that makes you notice is that she always carries a water bottle and wears a shoulder bag wherever she goes. As a child, she reminded me, "Humans are made up of about 80% water, and don’t forget to drink water!" 

In addition, many people said my face looked similar to my mother's. She has a well-balanced and attractive face. She is a medium-skinned Asian woman. Her hair is naturally wavy, and she wears it in a long black ponytail. Due to her thinning hair and receding hairline, she uses Biotin daily. Her eyes are especially brown. I also have the same eye color. Although my mother is 64 years old, she has very few wrinkles on her face. In fact, if you were to meet her, you would never guess her actual age. I believe this is due to her healthy lifestyle and her preference for vegetables over meat. With a bright and engaging smile, she always draws people. One outstanding detail about her smile is she has a loud laugh, and she also is talkative. I feel like she is always full of energy. Many have even commented on the similarity between my smile and hers, which I take as a great compliment. Looking at her face, you can tell she is a trustworthy and typical Asian woman. 

Although less visible, her remarkable and valuable characteristics have always stood out to me. In the family, she cares for them too much. We had to live with our extended family. She has cared for my grandparents, her brother, and her family since she was young. Every morning before work, she would prepare breakfast and lunch for everyone. After returning home, she would cook dinner and teach me how to learn. At work, she is a responsible person. Despite her age of 55 years, she earned an Associate Degree when she came to the United States. She is a motivated person who never gives up. She not only likes to work but also loves outdoor activities. We usually go hiking and camping…every year round. Additionally, she loved animals, just like me. We raised many dogs, chickens, rabbits, and other animals in my home country. 

As I grew up, my mother influenced my personality significantly. I learned essential values from her: love for family, care for others, keep moving forward, and animal compassion. Her experiences also shaped me and taught me how to be a good person and a valuable member of society. I always carry her words of wisdom with me, "Idleness is the mother of evils." and "Practice makes perfect." When I need to be charged, she gives me energy. She is an optimistic person who can find ways to resolve problems, even in hardship. Her wisdom helps me a lot when I have trouble in my life. I always ask her advice because I know my mother is my superwoman. I can't imagine how I would cope if she were to leave me. I only know that I have learned how to be stronger and a good mother. Despite being an Asian woman who stands only 5"1', she is my entire world.

Written by: Thi Duong (Lorna) 

Side Effects of a Snowstorm

Have you ever experienced a weather change that made you stop in your tracks? Last week in Portland, Oregon, we experienced an unexpected snowstorm. It took the whole week, and almost no one could go outside. It was really cold. Also, it rained, and when you have snow plus water, that's dangerous. There was ice on the ground. Walking on the street wasn't safe if you didn't have special boots and warm clothes. There are three fundamental problems the snowstorm caused, such as personal, societal, and economic problems.

First of all, there were the personal problems. The daily routine of some people is usually going  to the gym, going to the park, or just spending time with their pet walking on the street. Well, last week it didn't happen. There wasn't a safe way to go outside because of the weather. As a teenager, I tried to spend time exercising at home, but it wasn’t  the same as doing it in the gym. There were no machines, not enough equipment to help me at all.  The whole week was very boring. Most of the time I was like a couch potato watching movies, or doing nothing. I felt that a week was stolen from me.

The second problem that the snowstorm caused was in the societal area. I will say that work is crucial to society. Everybody has to work because if you don’t, you won't find any way to keep your livelihood alive. Furthermore, school is the student's job. People who are studying also have responsibilities. Students must do their homework. They have to review it and see where their mistakes are. Now imagine if you are somebody who works and studies. Imagine that you don’t have the ability to do your duties because the weather doesn't let you do it. The snowstorms made everybody stop doing their duties for a whole week. It affected all people in their ways. 

Finally, there were economic problems. Companies need to keep working even if the weather tends to stop them. I live close to the road, and during all last week of snow, I didn't hear as much noise as usual. Trucks from FedEx, UPS, and even Amazon couldn't deliver their packages, and no matter how insignificant it sounds, that is a big problem. If companies cannot do their job they lose a lot of money. Situations like last week could make the economy break down. 

In conclusion, it's important to think about how a snowstorm could affect many areas. People sometimes assume these weather changes are insignificant, but they are important. Last week’s snowstorm caused personal, societal, and economic problems all at the same time. This could be a lesson to prepare ourselves for the future weather changes, and not cause us all these problems we experienced last week.

Written by: Kener Moya 

Get Ready for the Next Snowstorm

            Have you seen any funny videos online about the snowstorm? I saw a lady skating and her kid was sledding on the street in her neighborhood when no one could drive. Although the winter storm caused a lot of damage, people still faced the problem positively. With better preparation before, during and after snowstorms we can reduce the risk in the future. 

           We can make plans before the winter storm. Weather forecast is a crucial way to help us. With numerous media sources online to announce weather forecast, it’s not hard to obtain this information. We won’t notice how important food, water, and electricity are to us when we have it on hand. One or two weeks of food and water supply, medical emergencies kit, and an electricity generator or fully charged battery will be a big help for people to overcome winter storms. In addition, based on the experience of the 2024 snowstorm Portland had, fallen trees and broken pipes were two big issues. Trimming tree branches can avoid them falling off and damaging your roof. Giving water pipe insulation will help pipes from freezing. 

             What should you plan during the storm? First, you should travel only if necessary and try your best to stay indoors. In case you need to drive, have your car equipped with snow tires or snow chains. Second, it’s a good idea to get enough clothes to keep yourself warm, and have a heating source handy. Third, you might need to pay attention to the updated weather forecast. Last but not least watch for leaking water pipes. 

         Things could be tricky after a snowstorm. While most of the facilities reopen it doesn’t mean it’s safe outside. According to the news, people in the Portland area died because of a fallen power line.  Stay alert for the potential risk of falling trees or power lines. Keeping in mind safety is the first priority. 

          Even though the 2024 Portland snowstorm has passed, making plans before, during and after the storm is the one positive way to face the next storm. Making a plan  not only could save money but also could save lives. 

Written by: Haiping Wu