My Little Japan by Adrienne

My Little Japan by Adrienne - February 2025 Scholarship Essay

The halls are loud as Clove and I make our way to English 3 class. I am surrounded by kids laughing and smiling. Clove asks, “If you had a ticket in your hand, where would you go? What would you do? What do you think will happen when you get there?” After a long pause I say, “I think I would go to Japan. I’m not sure what I will do once I get there. I am not sure what would happen there either.”
Growing up we were not financially able to take lavish, expensive vacations out of the country. My mom is a Dialysis Social Worker, and my dad is a Physical Therapy Technician. Their occupations translated as: enough money to live comfortably, but not enough for a family trip to Japan. Taking an overseas trip with 3 children is, at best, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that has yet to come to fruition. When we went on a vacation it was to a beach in Corpus Christi or Galveston. My parents always made magic wherever we went. I have so many great memories.
I was never angry at my parents for all the staycations; I understood why. I admit I was a bit jealous of my friends when they described what it was like to be on a plane looking down. I want to have that experience and feel the wonderment of it all.
At 13, I decided to take myself to Japan. I immersed myself in a different culture firsthand. I imagined stepping into Asakusa Tatsu Miya, a souvenir shop in Taitō, Japan. I was free to explore until my feet hurt. I was a tourist traveling through Mount Fuji, Tokyo Skytree, and Osaka Castle without my little twin brothers telling me to hurry up because they were tired. I fell in love with the natural beauty of Cherry Blossom trees and flowers. I could eat as much Mochi, Onigiri, Yakitori, and Tonkatsu as possible without getting sick.
As I take steps into adulthood I realize that my parents have given me my own little Japan. My parents have shared what it is to grow up Mexican American. I have enjoyed the tastes of pan dulce, chalupas, enchiladas and carne guisada. The various Mexican foods that make up a part of my culture are forever with me. We celebrate Dia de los Muertos, Reyes Magos and Las Posadas. They gave me nature to admire and gave me places to see such as Lost Maples, Government Canyon, and “Bird Nature Park” formerly named Dover Ridge Nature Park.
My parents have given us a love for traditions and experiences that I will pass on to my children. They have worked so hard to give my brothers and me a life they never had. My mom and dad have overcome the obstacles of poverty and living without. My mom shared a story of family dinners by candlelight because the electricity did not get paid. My dad told me how one summer his sisters cooked Fidello (Vermicelli) every day because that was the only thing in the pantry.
My parents tell these stories to share multiple lessons, love does not need money, and education is the foundation of financial stability. My parents talked about the mistakes they made and how that strengthened them and gave them wisdom. They encourage me to make my own mistakes and rise from them. My parents talk of dreams they have for me and my children. Dreams of me taking my children on overseas vacations. They want to see me achieve my goal of traveling the world. A degree in higher education is my ticket to anywhere in the world.
I’m ready to begin my journey towards Japan. Once I get there I would be reminded of the Little Japan my parents gave me and continue to give today. While visiting Japan’s shrines I will give thanks to my parents for their dedication to be better for the sake of my brothers and me.