My Culture
By: Melanie Peck
Tradition:
This is one of the many Badger games I have been to. I began going to Badger football games when I was in kindergarten. We have been lucky enough to go to at least one game a year ever since. My dad then got tickets to other sporting events. Now every year we also go to a Badger hockey and a basketball game. We also travel to Northwestern and one other place at least once a year.
This picture is the dome of Notre Dame. I have been there twice, and loved each visit.
Values:
One other thing my family values is loving one another. My sister and I may fight once and a while, but we have always loved each other. Since I was young, I was told that I would have to help take care of her and love her. I am proud to have that responsibility. She has always looked up to me, and I am proud of that, too. Our family also values hard work. My great, great grandfather was a rag salesmen and my great grandfather held two jobs, so it is a value that has been passed down from generations. My dad just really wants my sister and I to be successful in life.
Religion:
My mother is Catholic. I was baptized and had my first communion at St. Martins Church. I celebrate every Christian holiday with my mother's side of the family. My dad is Jewish, so we still celebrate all of the Jewish holidays even though my sister and I are Catholic. I really enjoy getting 8 presents during Hanukah and celebrating those holidays with my father's side.
Music:
When I was a baby, I was a restless sleeper. I would fall asleep only if I was being held and rocked by someone. If I was put down, I would instantly wake up and start screaming. While I was being held my dad would always play music. It would help sooth me. I learned the powers of music from when I was only a couple of weeks old. My dad still likes to play music for my sister and me.
Art and Music
When our family went to Las Vegas, my dad thought it would be fun to see The Phantom of the Opera. It was our first musical as a family, and each of us loved it. We all really got into the plot and the type of music. We then have since been to many other musicals and enjoyed each of them. Our favorite musical is Les Miserables. We have seen both the production and movie.
Recreation:
Both my sister and I have been playing basketball and softball since before we were in 3rd grade. This means that our family's time is mostly spent going from one kid's sporting event to the other. It is very rare that we have something on the same day as one another, so every day is busy.
Recreation:
My father wants us to see the world for ourselves, so we go on lots of different vacations. So far we have been to 13 different states and 3 other countries including Puerto Rico. This June we are going to Africa, and it will be really fun . My mom always says that my dad's vacations aren't really relaxing, but if she doesn't have to cook, I'm sure she still enjoys it.