When I was a kid, I loved stories about animals or hearing about experiences on farms. One day, I went to my dad’s library and took a small book titled “The Good Earth.” I read this book but, in my surprise, “The Good Earth” was not about in animals and farms; conversely the story of the book was about a family and their culture. I loved this book, although I was missing the last page. When I told this anecdote to my family, we laughed. Now, my essay about myself wears this title in tribute to this beautiful incomplete book because my life will be compared with a good earth and how I grew up and developed like a human being. I will write about 3 stages of my life: my childhood, adolescence and adulthood.

My Childhood

The most important stage of a human being is childhood because it is the best time of life where the memories that we make in our childhood always bring a smile on our face. Also, it is the time when the character of a child is shaped. Besides, it also is the best time to understand life and gain knowledge.

My family and I lived in Tucuman, a small city in Argentina. My dad had a company called COAFOR (Cooperative Agroforest). He bought fruits and vegetables to small producers of closer regions. He helped small producers because he understood that Peronists (political party) just wanted high taxes for small companies that worked hard, but their income cannot compete with international and big companies. My dad made deals with the Argentinian government when I was a kid. The Argentinian government did not pay and presented “city without funds” in the judgment. In corrupt government like Argentina, “city without funds” is a tool the government uses to not pay for products they bought. We filed bankruptcy and my mother was pregnant with a baby girl. My parents were very happy because they would have a baby girl. They had a lot of challenges. My parents had anxiety and stress. Unfortunately, my mother lost the baby. They were heart broken.

I remember when my dad spoke about this situation with us. That night was dark, there was a storm, and the lights on my home had been cut off by the storm. My father explained to us what was happening with my little sister. After, my dad told us about my baby sister, my brothers and I went to bed. Then, we listened to my mother cry every day for this reason. I learned a lot of the things when my little sister passed away. First, my parents love us and put our interests before their interests. We did not have guilt from this negative experience and my parents did not blame anyone. We grew up in a correct environment. Second, I learned to analyze every experience in my life and make the best decision that I can choose.

I had a happy and successful childhood because we converted bad and negative situations in to positive and good experiences. My parents demonstrated to us how much they loved us. I developed my character and behavior.

Adolescence

My adolescence was a period of transition between my childhood and my adulthood. It included some big changes, in my body and in the way in that a young person relates to society. I remember that I grew very fast. The changes in my body generated curiosity and anxiety because I did not know what was happening with my body. I loved having my own privacy. My parents helped me to understand and foresee my body’s change. They spoke to me with space and a positive tone. Also, they supported me and put to me goals and limits. My parents spoke to me about dangerous behaviors with alcohol and drugs. They fostered my independence and individuality.

I did what I was taught except when I started my studies in Agriculture school. Let me explain what happened.

I was teenager. I love animals and plants that produce something, not farm animals and plants that produce nothing. My mother was afraid to touch or caress feathers. She did not want me to have chickens in the yard. I was a good teenager but a little disobedient. I wanted to have experiences with chickens. One day I woke up early, and I imagined in my mind a perfect plan so I can have my chickens. The plan was very simple. I talked with a friend who had a small and cute chicken. I named her Quiquiriki. Quiquiriki was my friend and she needed me because she was small and in a new in the place. She was white with black feathers interspersed. She was always a good mother with her chicks. My friend gave it to me because he understood that I love farm animals and that I would care for this beautiful animal. When I went back to my house, I put my chicken in a big bag with holes, and I went through my house until arriving in my yard.

I remember that I said to myself in a low voice, “Please, please, Quikiriki do not cackle, please do not cackle.” I put my chicken in a corner of my yard. My heart was agitated with lots of adrenaline.

A few days passed, my mother bought glasses and she said, “Whoever breaks these glasses will have the penalty of cleaning the yard.” Everyone in the family accepted this penalty. When we were preparing dinner, my mother accidentally broke a new glass. I was extremely nervous because my mother would soon discover my secret chicken in the yard. My mother cleaned the yard and when she saw my chicken, she called my neighbors because she thought that the animal belonged to one of them. My neighbors had farm animal like chickens, but this chicken was not of one of theirs. Then my mom called me: “MAXIMILIAN!” (when she was angry, she called me by my full name)

“Yes!… mommy”

“DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS ANIMAL IN OUR YARD?” she said.

“Nope,” I answered with fear.

“DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS ANIMAL, MAXIMILIAN?” my mom said again.

I took a deep breath and had the courage to tell my mother about the chicken. She was not happy, but she said, “Max, the chicken is yours, you should raise and feed it.” I had mixed feelings. I was so happy and worried because I had to feed my little chicken and I did not have a job to pay for her food. Some days after, I got a nice job that permitted me to buy food for my pet. This experience was awesome and productive for my future.

Adulthood

Adulthood is the best time to analyze our life and choose the correct way for us. I think a lot about my future and how I can grow up and develop in USA. USA is a beautiful place where people, if they want, can get a house, cars, money, and anything that people need. So, in this country it is not a problem to get material things. When I came to USA, I asked to myself: What am I proudest of in my life? How has my life been different than what I’d imagined? What does my future hold? What do I want for me? For my family? Where will I be in 10 years or 20 years? I am conscious about my age and my skills, and for those reasons I have anxiety because I know that our body doesn’t last forever and realize that we can’t do things the same way as we were young.

When I think about my future, I know that I am still young and have the rest of my life to have experiences that will help me narrate my personal journey. I know that every story is fascinating and unique. I was an LDS missionary, a volunteer in different non-profits, I went to school, university too, but why am I here? Why did I leave my country? As human beings we have goals and objectives that we follow throughout our life.

I love my country, but it is impossible to have a safe life because governments are corrupting. USA is a perfect place where I could grow and develop myself. I need to speak English like my first language. I am working on that every day. I am blessed because I have a beautiful family and friends and I can study English at SLCC. Every step in my life brings me tranquility.