Name: Jackson Lang
From: Placentia, CA
Votes: 0
When
I traveled to Japan, my host mom made this weird nut thing for dinner
one night and wanted my roommate and me to try it. T be honest, I
didn’t really like it, but my host mom was so happy and excited for
the exchange students to try it. It was definitely not the best thing
I’ve ever eaten and a bowl of rice would’ve tasted so much
better, but I was set on making sure my host mom was not only proud
of her dish, but proud of me for trying it.
So I would just like to thank the Fullerton North Rotary Club for
sending me to Japan so I could experience such a delightful dish that
my mother will always hold over my head, especially when I don’t
finish my carrots.
I
got the opportunity to go to Japan through my grandpa and his
participation in the Rotary Club and its sister city in Fukui, Japan.
The sister city system is kind of like being pen pals. The two cities
work together in activities like the student exchange program as well
as with donations and community projects. My host mom didn’t speak
English, so trying to communicate was a lot of fun. My roommate and I
tried to steer clear of translation apps, so we played a lot of
charades with our host family, talking to them about everything from
how people in Japan are different from people in America, to what we
wanted for breakfast. Those little moments of really connecting to
someone are what made that trip so special to me. My grandfather has
really opened up so many doors for me and my family, and that is why
he means so much to me.
My
grandfather is a great man. He was a very successful businessman
working in the trash industry, and now that he is retired, he spends
his time tinkering with cars, helping the local fire department and
working with the Boys and Girls Club. He really cares about his
community, and he really loves his family, helping us with everything
from electrical issues to just a ride to the airport. I want to be a
successful businessman like he was, and I believe that the life
experiences that he has passed down to me have prepared me more than
any high school class.
I’ve
helped my grandfather with his all of his car projects including a
1960 Impala and a 1955 cherry red Ford that I hope to take to prom
this year. Eventually, it was my turn to have a project. It was a
1966 Ford Bronco. With help from my uncle, the three of us worked for
three years to rebuild this awesome truck, tearing the engine apart
and putting it back together, doing all the body work, and rewiring
it. It was a mess, but after those three years of work, it feels
really good to drive around in my Bronco. Every time I turn the key,
I’m reminded of the sweat and failure that we worked through to get
to this point.
My
grandfather has taught me so much from how to properly manage money
to the simple value of a good handshake. It means a lot that my
grandfather has shared his wisdom with me because it shows his desire
to see me succeed. And I want to do everything in my power to follow
his advice and not let him down. My grandfather has shaped me to be
like him, a successful, caring businessman that takes care of his
family and community, and it is my goal to not only be like him, but
also to shape others to be like him.
