talkswithTabbi

In my first paper, I will share the story of moving from town to Kailua at twelve years old and how that transition shaped me. The students at the middle school I previously attended were mostly academically inclined due to the cultural importance of intellect. I found this similar to the knowledge based communities in Mehana Vaughan's first chapters. While they're not the typical western academics, their teachings happen through place, story, and practice. I will then describe the challenges of leaving behind familiar places, people, and routines, and the struggle of starting fresh in a new community with no friends or connections. I’ll explain the cultural and academic differences I noticed between my old peers, who prioritized school, and my new ones, who didn’t. I’ll also reflect on how my desire to fit in caused my grades to fall, highlighting how community pressures deeply affected my growth and identity

I believe that all children have it in their nature to look up to mom/dad. Whether they're a good influence or not, children grow up resembling their parent’s characteristics. Yes it’s normal, but is it healthy? In my case, yes it is healthy. My mom is one of my favorite humans in the world and for good reason. She's a strong, independent woman who stands up for herself and the people she cares about. Although shes firm, she’s extremely affectionate. I strive for the same appellation.

As a mixed race local girl born and raised in Hawaii with no Hawaiian blood circulating my veins, I've always been slightly confused about who, what, and where community is. As a child I felt very close to family, teachers and friends but never realized that right there was my community. According to Google, the noun Community is a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. Though, I've recently been feeling like Community isn't about proximity, similarities, or even who's in your immediate family but actually who you feel comfortable with or supported by. Granted, your community won't always be conveying the feeling of comfortability. Growth comes from vulnerability and reflection which are often the very opposite of comfortable. I believe communities should lift each other up and keep each other there all while requiring little to no effort. So, i’m happy to say that I myself have found my community