The one and only Maracas Beach. As a child growing up, I remember going almost every weekend. The drive through the mountain shows a breath taken view of the island that is imprinted in my brain. As you get to the top of the mountain, your ears begin to ring because of the altitude. That’s when you know your halfway there. Down the winding road overlooking the side of the mountain, you begin to see the coconuts trees as they line the road. The smell of the sea and the aroma from all the food huts tells you we’re here.  From Africans to Indians, Spanish to Asians dancing to the music, as they bombard the “Bake and Shark” hut. In the parking lot the music is so loud, you can’t hear the siren of the police car as it passes by. With your tired feet, and full belly, you make a mad dash for the water. Some how it rejuvenates your soul. Maybe its the salt from the water or the sand between your toes, I always leave, feeling like a new person. The one place that is a must when I go back home. It brings back many memories and good times that will last a life time.

“Success is taken not given” its a must that you “work hard” ,and “study hard.” A “positive mind results in a positive life” and never forget to “have faith” ,and “believe in God” he will show you the right path for success. “Know what you want in life” and make sure to “set goals,” also “never say never” “never give up” and “don’t stop pushing yourself to be the best.” To be successful you must “follow your heart” “believe in yourself” and always “aim for the stars.” “Keep your eyes on the prize” and try to “live love and laugh” it will make it a pleasant journey. “Don’t cry over spilled milk” impossible to “erase your past” so “the past is the past” “never make the same mistake twice.” you know the saying “fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me.” “Don’t worry be happy” success will come “follow your dreams” “try and try again” because “practice makes perfect.” Make sure to “always be polite” and “love each other” it will lead you on the right path for success. “If you want something you have to ask nicely” “talk less and listen more” and “if you cry you get nothing” more importantly “if you say something mean it” “no question is the only bad question” so take all information and eat it up. “Enjoy your life while your young” don’t forget that “blood is thicker than water” and “family over friends” but always remember to “feed your hunger” and then if you “work hard play harder” hopefully I have laid a foundation that you two can follow and supersede in days to come.

1. A smart Indian, one who is able to share their thoughts freely and openly; Outspoken, Opinionated, and, Direct are traits all races should embrace. As individuals we will be able to communicate without the fear of ridicule from other races.  Indian children are embraced and accepted for their failures from the non-Indian counter parts.
2. Embracing yourself with an immense education will set you up for great success in life. Reading anything and everything imaginable. The author has a substantial love and devotion to better himself and not to worry what others perceive of you.
3. Following in the footsteps of a great roll model. With a love and passion to elevate your education to the highest level. One is bound for glory. Believe in yourself and don’t let anyone corrupt your mental state with negative aspirations.
4. A paragraph is sentences formed, to expose a particular point or idea. “Fences ” is an excellent metaphor that helped me to better understand and how to properly use a paragraph. To me a paragraph is like “a deep breath.” One initial purpose to relieve your lungs, as an author describes one specific theme.

Class time over free time, is the direction our society is heading. In the article “Playtime is Over,” author David Elkind discusses, the over-programming our children are enduring. The elimination of recess, in favor of more academic time. Elkind feels kids are experiencing over-scheduling; furthermore, suggest that the hiring of recess coaches will aid in the personal development of our children. I believe that kids need unstructured play. We can’t learn everything from books; therefore, kids just need to be kids.

“The Culture of Childhood” is slipping through our fingers. This is when one generation passes on a song, riddle, game, and also rhymes on to the next generation. Hide-and-seek and Old McDonald are examples, that date back hundreds of years. One day, after school my son started singing a song. It was catchy and very easy to learn.” There is Sunday, then there is Monday. Tuesday and there is Wednesday. Thursday and there is Friday, and then there is Saturday. Days of the week. Days of the week. Days of the week.” Thanks to that song my kids rapidly learned the days of the week. Wishing I learned that song as a child, it would’ve made learning the days of the week much easier. When I asked him where he heard that song he replied “the playground.”

University of Michigan found, that children lost eight hours of unstructured play, and that number is increasing rapidly. Studies show that physically fit kids tend to score highest on tests. Why should we subject our kids to the four walls of a classroom, when they learn and become healthier while on recess. As I think back to my past, my generation was “always outside.” From the time we woke up until it was time to go to sleep. We almost always found ourselves having altercation in which we had to settle on our own. Modern day kids, want to stay inside, watch television, play video games, and more consistently surf the web. I believe we learn easier from the mistakes we make. Interacting with others help is to find new, different, and easier ways to make learning fun and enjoyable.

There are many ways we learn things growing up. The vast majority comes from books, and the  class room; although, the more important lessons come from our peers. Recess and free time is the best and easiest way for our children to learn. Not only do they become healthier from all the outdoor activities they tend to learn the important life lessons in the yard. We learn from our mistakes, and what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Feelings and emotions can be learned from a book; however, Love and Hate, Happy and Mad are better thought in the yard.

Headed down a road of apocalyptic destruction. My life has made a turn for the worst. Working at a low paying, dead end job. Partying and drinking took all of my time and lots of my money. I knew if something didn’t change soon I would end up on the street or in jail. It all began to change, the first time he grabbed my finger and wouldn’t let go.

My son has motivated and inspired me more than anyone I can remember. I strive to be the best that I can be so he has a positive roll-model to look up to. He mimics my every move. From the words that I use, to the actions that I make. I want to provide him with the best opportunity so he can have a successful life. I never thought anyone would be able to give me more strength and hope than he was. That is until his sister joined the club. The two joys of my life, that changed me for the better; never had a clue what they were doing.

Materialistic belongings, that significantly impact our lives . People tend to hold on to things that bring them comfort and joy. We all have things we value and cherish, that we can’t and won’t do without. As children we tend to hold onto our toys, books, pacifiers, clothes, blankets, and the list goes on and on.

As a child my favorite possession was my baby pillow. The old, ripped and stained pillow case with the McDonalds characters on it was my everything. This was my magical pillow. You wanted me to sleep just give me my pillow. Wouldn’t go to sleepovers without it. Funny thing is that I didn’t even put it under my head. I would curl it up with one hand and the other hand I would suck my thumb. Recently I found this pillow that my mom has been saving for years. I tried to introduce it to my kids but neither found any interest in my magical pill.

No more magical pillow and now I’m obsessed with video games. It all began with my Nintendo. From Mario to Zelda and everything in-between I was officially hooked. It seems like every year a new system would come out and of course I needed them all. Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, Game boy, Wii, X-box and last but not least PlayStation 1,2,3,and 4. I got my PlayStation before they went on sale in the US. My brother brought mine back from Japan when he finished his tour for the Marines. That was the best gift I ever got. All my friends would want to come over to play. We would stay up all hours of the night planted to the TV, that is until mom came and kicked everyone out. Now, all that my PlayStation is good for is watching DVDs. That is if it even works with all the dust that has collected on it.

Now my favorite possession is my surname. Nykin means the world to me. My Dad was a sibling of 6 kids. 4 girls and 2 boys. My uncle was divorced and his only child was a girl that took her mothers last name. That leaves me, my brother, and my sister being that last of the Nykin name. My sister has 1 son and his last name is Vasquez. Now that leaves all the pressure for my brother and I to carry on our last name. He is married with 2 beautiful girls and 1 more on the way. Yes 3 girls good luck bro. That leaves it all to me. Thankfully I was blessed with 1 boy and 1 girl. My kids don’t know the significance of their last name yet but as they get older I will encourage they keep the name going for a long time.