Sowing Pearls ofWisdom Sowing Pearls ofWisdom - Literacy Suffolk

Sea Kayaking:
A Getaway to Get Involved
By Dan
feel everyone needs a hobby and sea kayaking is mine. Sea kayaking is what
I you make of it. It can be calm and tranquil, giving you time to reflect and
find inner peace. Or, you can take it to the limit to where it is exciting, invigorating,
and adventurous.
The difference between these two extremes is great. But if you learn the skills and gain
knowledge about the sport, it is great fun. After all, the difference between an ordeal and
an adventure is knowledge and training. But how does a beginner learn these skills? They
need to learn from someone with experience and this is why I decided to teach kayaking—to
pass on the necessary knowledge and techniques to people new to the sport.
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“With the help of Chris, my tutor,
I was able to put together a required
written lesson plan, helping me pass
the [certification] test.”
.....................
To teach kayaking, I first had to get certified so I could pass
on the things a person needs to know to safely participate in
the sport—paddling techniques, rescue maneuvers, and the
ultimate self-rescue, rolling.
The certification test was made up of not only a practical
exam, but a written exam as well. With the help of Chris,
my tutor, I was able to put together a required written lesson
plan, helping me pass the test.
Sea kayaking helps me clear my head because it takes all the concentration I have to
ride the waves and fight the currents. Out there it is just you and the water. But it can
also be a very social sport. I belong to a kayaking club and I meet a lot of interesting
people there. Through the club, I get to help a charity I am involved with that collects
food and supplies for the homeless. By running programs like Paddle Out Hunger and
the upcoming Paddle Sport Show, where I’m doing a demonstration, the club collects
canned food as a donation to its events that aid the hungry and the homeless.
Through my hobby, I am able to help others as well as help myself at many different levels.
24 READING FOR LIFE 2OO8 • Student Writing
Adaptability
By Edison Mejia
have been living in the US for eight
I
years. They are full of wonderful
experiences which prove how
resilient and adaptable human beings are. I
endured new situations that made me realize
how important it is to thrive and adapt to new
surroundings. Here, I faced difficulties such as
meeting new people, language hindrances, and
employment that at the end helped me to get
strength to continue my life. First of all, living
on Long Island has given me the opportunity
to meet a great person, my tutor, Anne. She is
charismatic, and a unique person.
At first, it was only about learning English,
however when time was passing, we started
developing deeper conversations and friendship.
I recall the first time I met her at the
Sayville Library for my interview. I was a little
nervous, nonetheless it went fine so I came
back home and I told my friend I wished she
would be our tutor. Our meetings are not
only about learning English, we read books,
write essays, and chat. Anne has taught us
about American culture, politics, history, the
English language and its roots. For instance,
she explains to us the democratic process of
how Americans elect their president. She is
so devoted to helping us to improve our
English skills.
I have a degree in Medical Technology from
Colombia. At the beginning, it wasn’t easy for
me to work in my field, and many people told
me it was going to be difficult and unlikely.
However, I worked hard showing my skills,
knowledge, and desire to work and learn, and
I made it. Right now, I am working in a very
good university doing Molecular Biology. I
have had the opportunity to meet and listen
to researchers about the work they are doing
in different areas like cancer, virology, and
microbiology. Every day I am amazed at how
science is developed in the industrial countries.
They discover treatments, and therapies
to control illnesses, so it is very rewarding.
Third, I’m in love with New York City. It is a
city with its own life which never rests. New
York has given me the chance to experience so
many activities which I really enjoy. I have
watched opera and ballet at Lincoln Center
where the most extraordinary singers and
dancers from around the world perform. In
addition, I often visit a great variety of
museums such as Metropolitan Museum,
MoMA, and Guggenheim Museum, so I am
glad to be able to see famous art exhibitions
which I couldn’t see before. Now, living in
New York, I can be in contact with a lot of
people from different backgrounds who enrich
my life. Therefore, I know why they call
America a melting pot.
......................
“At first it was only about learning
English, however we started developing
deeper conversations and friendship.”
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LITERACY SUFFOLK, INC. • Sowing Pearls of Wisdom 25