Personal Narrative: Living In Hawaii

I have been interested in architecture since I was about 12 years old. I remember staring outside of my living room window, and I would sketch everything in sight - my neighborhood, bright blue skies, and the amazing nature of Hawaii. I was born on October 2nd on the beautiful island of Maui, Hawaii. I must say, that I am so fortunate be able to live in Hawaii because I have witnessed the growth that occurred on the islands as they develop urban areas and expand for their people. Over the past 10 years, there were areas that were previously untamed grass, that are now new suburban neighborhoods, or retail and commercial buildings. The way that the architecture complemented the surrounding environment of Hawaii is what really amazed me. I love
I preferred to be carried by my dad, rather than my mom and there would be times when I was a toddler that I would wait at the front door, counting the hours to pass by to finally be in my daddy’s arms. We were inseparable when he would come home from work. I would help him with his garden in our backyard and pick out the vegetables when he told me it was ready. I wasn’t that typical little girl with the white flowered dresses and pulled back ponytails. I was quite the tomboy that enjoyed spending time outdoors biking and running around with the neighbors. However, because I was not a normal “girl”, as my relatives would call it, I was often discouraged to do the things that I loved. My mom would often tell me to walk like a girl, and act like a girl but I didn’t really understand what she meant. It was this whole controversy about being able to embrace feminism without being criticized. My dad didn’t seem to be bothered, and he enjoyed me being me so that was all that
He told me that he rather have me be knowledgeable, then to be completely clueless and possibly get hurt. I loved learning about new tools, I felt good knowing that I would know all of this that my other sisters’ wouldn’t. By the time my dad fixed up my uncle’s house, I already knew how to correctly use and carry tools, such as the hammer, screw driver, and even a nail gun. I also knew why studs were always 16”-on-center in the wall frames in a house. My dad and I shared this passion of building and will always cherish the memories we share when we do projects