This piece was the most improved because it was the final piece of writing I did this semester. I was able to use all of the previous feedback I had gotten on other assignments to make this one the best I could. I found this piece easy to write because I had an interest in the topic I chose and it was something that I really cared about. I took all of my presenting feedback into consideration while presenting, and was happy with my final mark.
Travelling with Family Matters to Me
When asked the question “what matters to me”, many things come to mind. If I had to think of one thing that has truly meant the world to me, traveling with family would be at the top of my list. Over the years I have been lucky enough to learn and experience some pretty amazing things in different countries and even here in Canada. I am so grateful for these experiences and I would not trade them for the world. Being able to travel is something that I am entirely grateful for. The experiences, stories and memories that I’ve made along the way are ones that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
The first big vacation with my family was a trip to Cuba in 2010. I can remember not being able to sleep the night before our flight because my mind could not stop thinking about what the trip was going to be like. At that time I didn’t realize how much I was going to be able to learn in the week that we were there. Our family went on a jeep excursion and this was one of the experiences that stood out to me the most. My eyes were opened when our group drove through a town struck by poverty. I had never really seen poverty like this before. All the houses were run down and looked like they were barely standing. Chickens and stray dogs were roaming the streets and young mothers were begging for money while holding their infants on their hips. I realized just how lucky I am and how great my life is. Seeing these people and the conditions they lived in just broke my heart. That experience has made me more thankful for the life I live and the family I have.
I am so grateful that my parents are able to take our family on these amazing trips. Although not all the trips we go on require us to fly in a plane. Every few years we go on a ski trip. These mini ski vacations are always a welcome escape from our everyday routines and are packed with family fun and great memories. One of the greatest skiing memories for me took place a few years ago. The weather was really bad and the highway was closed. We couldn’t get back to our motel. Instead of waiting in the chalet we decided to brave the weather and continue skiing. I think that, that was the hardest I’ve ever seen it snow. While going down the hill you could only see a few meters in front of you. My goggles kept blurring up because of all the snow and my hands were numb to the point that I couldn’t feel them anymore. As miserable as this may seem to many of you, this was the most fun I had ever had skiing. This was something that we obviously don’t do everyday, so it made it fun to experience this with my family.
It also isn't everyday that you get to experience something that was once considered one of the 7 wonders of the world. Last year, my family and I travelled to Arizona and it was nothing like any place I had ever been before. After a few days of being there we decided to take a road trip to the Grand Canyon. On the ride to the Grand Canyon my brother and I used up all the storage on our iPods snapping pictures of various cactuses and hills. By the time we actually got there we had to delete them all, because those little hills were nothing compared to the vastness of the Grand Canyon. When people say it is big you are expecting something the size of maybe Niagara Falls. But trust me, you can’t even fathom how big it truly is. While standing in front of it you get this overwhelming feeling of just how small we humans really are in this world. Being able to see the Grand Canyon is something words really can’t describe. I would definitely recommend for all of you to put seeing it on your bucket lists.
The Grand Canyon wasn’t the only breathtaking thing that I experienced while in Arizona. After a long day of driving up to the Canyon and admiring it’s beauty, we decided to stay the night in a town called Sedona. At night when we arrived it was already pitch black so all we could see were the lights on the main strip. When we woke up in the morning, bright blue sky and brilliant red rock painted our surroundings and it was breathtaking! After doing some shopping we decided to go on a jeep tour. On our tour we were able to travel to some ancient ruins built into the red rock. Inside the walls of the stone and clay houses were amazing hieroglyphics. These paintings were done over an estimated 700 hundred years ago. It was truly amazing to see such beautiful works of art and to learn that every picture have a specific meaning. Seeing these really made me think about what it must have been like to live there such a long time ago.
Another beautiful place I have been to was Half Moon Bay in Turks and Caicos. After snorkelling along a coral reef our tour guides took us to this beautiful island. This deserted island with only iguanas as inhabitants brought tears to my mom’s eyes. It’s turquoise waters and pure white sand took our breath away. Standing there with my family looking out at the most beautiful landscape I had ever seen, felt like a dream. I felt like I could have stayed there forever.
It’s these feelings that confirm to me that time spent travelling with family is something that no one can put a price on. I am so lucky to have travelled to some pretty cool places with such amazing people. It’s made us look at the world in a different way. These trips and memories that we’ve made have brought us closer as a family. I’m excited to find out where our next trip will take us. My hope is that you will all have the opportunity to travel sometime in your life if you haven’t already.
Thank you
Travelling with Family Matters to Me
When asked the question “what matters to me”, many things come to mind. If I had to think of one thing that has truly meant the world to me, traveling with family would be at the top of my list. Over the years I have been lucky enough to learn and experience some pretty amazing things in different countries and even here in Canada. I am so grateful for these experiences and I would not trade them for the world. Being able to travel is something that I am entirely grateful for. The experiences, stories and memories that I’ve made along the way are ones that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
The first big vacation with my family was a trip to Cuba in 2010. I can remember not being able to sleep the night before our flight because my mind could not stop thinking about what the trip was going to be like. At that time I didn’t realize how much I was going to be able to learn in the week that we were there. Our family went on a jeep excursion and this was one of the experiences that stood out to me the most. My eyes were opened when our group drove through a town struck by poverty. I had never really seen poverty like this before. All the houses were run down and looked like they were barely standing. Chickens and stray dogs were roaming the streets and young mothers were begging for money while holding their infants on their hips. I realized just how lucky I am and how great my life is. Seeing these people and the conditions they lived in just broke my heart. That experience has made me more thankful for the life I live and the family I have.
I am so grateful that my parents are able to take our family on these amazing trips. Although not all the trips we go on require us to fly in a plane. Every few years we go on a ski trip. These mini ski vacations are always a welcome escape from our everyday routines and are packed with family fun and great memories. One of the greatest skiing memories for me took place a few years ago. The weather was really bad and the highway was closed. We couldn’t get back to our motel. Instead of waiting in the chalet we decided to brave the weather and continue skiing. I think that, that was the hardest I’ve ever seen it snow. While going down the hill you could only see a few meters in front of you. My goggles kept blurring up because of all the snow and my hands were numb to the point that I couldn’t feel them anymore. As miserable as this may seem to many of you, this was the most fun I had ever had skiing. This was something that we obviously don’t do everyday, so it made it fun to experience this with my family.
It also isn't everyday that you get to experience something that was once considered one of the 7 wonders of the world. Last year, my family and I travelled to Arizona and it was nothing like any place I had ever been before. After a few days of being there we decided to take a road trip to the Grand Canyon. On the ride to the Grand Canyon my brother and I used up all the storage on our iPods snapping pictures of various cactuses and hills. By the time we actually got there we had to delete them all, because those little hills were nothing compared to the vastness of the Grand Canyon. When people say it is big you are expecting something the size of maybe Niagara Falls. But trust me, you can’t even fathom how big it truly is. While standing in front of it you get this overwhelming feeling of just how small we humans really are in this world. Being able to see the Grand Canyon is something words really can’t describe. I would definitely recommend for all of you to put seeing it on your bucket lists.
The Grand Canyon wasn’t the only breathtaking thing that I experienced while in Arizona. After a long day of driving up to the Canyon and admiring it’s beauty, we decided to stay the night in a town called Sedona. At night when we arrived it was already pitch black so all we could see were the lights on the main strip. When we woke up in the morning, bright blue sky and brilliant red rock painted our surroundings and it was breathtaking! After doing some shopping we decided to go on a jeep tour. On our tour we were able to travel to some ancient ruins built into the red rock. Inside the walls of the stone and clay houses were amazing hieroglyphics. These paintings were done over an estimated 700 hundred years ago. It was truly amazing to see such beautiful works of art and to learn that every picture have a specific meaning. Seeing these really made me think about what it must have been like to live there such a long time ago.
Another beautiful place I have been to was Half Moon Bay in Turks and Caicos. After snorkelling along a coral reef our tour guides took us to this beautiful island. This deserted island with only iguanas as inhabitants brought tears to my mom’s eyes. It’s turquoise waters and pure white sand took our breath away. Standing there with my family looking out at the most beautiful landscape I had ever seen, felt like a dream. I felt like I could have stayed there forever.
It’s these feelings that confirm to me that time spent travelling with family is something that no one can put a price on. I am so lucky to have travelled to some pretty cool places with such amazing people. It’s made us look at the world in a different way. These trips and memories that we’ve made have brought us closer as a family. I’m excited to find out where our next trip will take us. My hope is that you will all have the opportunity to travel sometime in your life if you haven’t already.
Thank you