Learning something new can be a scary experience.
Manuelito E. Ilag
Mountain State University
Abstract
Looking back on a childhood filled with events and memories, I find it rather difficult to pick on that. It leaves me with the fabled “warm and fuzzy feelings”. As a kid who grew up from another country, I had a pleasure of learning different language and culture. I have to learn both Filipino and English. However, I have discovered that when reflecting on my childhood, it is not the difficult learning that come to mind, instead there are details from everyday doings; a deck of cards, a silver bank or an ice cream flavor. One memory that comes to mind belongs to a day with particular importance. It was my very first day of school.
Learning something new can be a scary experience. The first 4 years of my life was spent at home mostly with my parents who were there every step of the way. My day started with a hearty breakfast prepared by Mom, who would patiently cook eggs, fried rice and spam. All of us would rush to the table and get ready for the day’s school or work. After breakfast, I would be the last child left behind with Mom. For 4 full years, my life was comfortable. It consisted of a routine, a structure of dependency which meant I didn’t have to worry about what to wear, when to eat and what time someone was going to give me a bath. It was 4 years built on knowing that my loving parents were there to protect me and my selfless siblings were there as well to pamper me, being the youngest in the family. Then one day, thinking that the morning was going to be how it’s always been, I thought wrong. Mom told me I was going to school. I initially thought, it was going to be fun, to be out of the house and break from the routine for a change. However, as soon as I got to the school in the midst of total strangers, I found my world crumbling. I tugged nervously at