Assignment 7: Rough Draft; Querencia

10:56 PM




Querencia; in which one's true self is at tranquil. Many people find their querencia at places that is close to their home such as schools, local gyms, library, etc but, mine's at a rural village in Udon Thani, Thailand called Bang Cheng Yun. Bang Cheng Yun, is a place that I can always reminisce on whenever I'm particularly upset or stressed because, of the various memories that came along with it. Memories of the delicacies, night life, and my family are my resort of relaxation and although, it is 6,323 miles away from me it is my querencia.
















The view, of the village was filled with neutral hues and then at the end of it stood two dragon pedestals welcoming visitors into the lavish temple. There was only one temple within the village and the most fancy one I ever saw because, the shades of red, yellow, and green that decorated the place complimented each other so effortlessly. And it was so vast, that it seemed like I could've placed the whole island of Oahu in it. Simply put it, every feature of the temple enchanted me. Not only that, there were many rice fields to take in and each one was filled with many patches of rice plants and it seemed it would never end. It filled me with fascination that the rice fields appeared that it reached all the way to the other side of the planet. Not only that, there were little stores placed alongside the dirt road and every one of them were filled with cold, ice cream, seaweed chips, crackers, little figurines, and more. Also, the stores were actually the garages of most people's home so you could see their belongings all placed there and it amazed me. But, the aspect that I cherished the most was how it was so dissimilar to Oahu, Hawaii. Instead of seeing the city scenery that consisted of endless buildings, construction sites, and traffic, the village provided the opposite. And, it was refreshing.
















The house that my family and I stayed at was also a refresher for my mind. It's appearance was so odd but, at the same time was my way to be in a lighter mood. That's because, the house looked as if it could collapse at any moment with the way everything appeared to be ancient and broken. For example, the stairway, would always make a soft creaking sound and it felt like the house would swallow me up into a black pit. In addition to the oddness, whenever I'd walk out to explore the neighborhood a family of chickens would greet me searching for food until, my Grandma would grab her broom and wave it around whilst making some unusual noises. Yeah, everything was pretty weird. However, the madness of it, had the ability to cleanse my ruddy feelings. Somehow, the strange house would always fill me with amusement and place me into a dream like state. For instance, in my most recent visit was early this year, when I had school. During that time, I was assigned an overwhelming amount of homework because, our trip there was so long. I felt as if I was drowning in stress with the limited time I had in the day to complete it. I thought that everything was impossible. Until one moment, when I paused examined the quirks of it all and I became relaxed. It was as if, with every glance I took it was as if each thought of stress that was held in me stripped away.
















Besides embracing the oddness of the house my family and I often dined because, we didn't feel like cooking. To us, we didn't see the point in taking time to cook food when there was so much more outside. So, in most cases we would go eat at a restaurant called, "Oishi," a hot pot restaurant. My family and I loved eating hot pot because, it was quick. It didn't require any anxious waiting or whining, nor annoyance since, all of the ingredients were placed in front of us waiting to be devoured. So, all we had to do was select the ingredients of our choice like meats, vegetables, noodles, etc and then boil it in the hot water. I loved the way the water would cook the ingredients and how it tasted perfect dipped in the spicy, shoyu flavored sauce that accompanied it. Also, the steam that came with the dish had me in a trance with its fragrant aroma from the different ingredients boiling. But, my favorite aspect of hot pot was the company of my parents and sister. Since, the four of us are unable to always be together due to school, work, and other things but, in Bang Cheng Yun at Oishi we were here together. Eating hot pot with them always made the experience memorable because, of the happiness thriving in the air. The conversations I had with my family was memorable because, i truly felt as if I was myself and so were they. The four of us conversed about what we wanted to do the next day, movies, school, future, etc but, in between we would be in fits of laughter about something. It was these times, that made me feel myself.
















Not only that, Bang Cheng Yun allowed me to experience the alluring nightlife. In Bang Cheng Yun the nightlife is unlike the one I'm used which is silence but, over there it was lively. The air is filled with laughter and smells of various delicacies like boiled eggs, pho, fruits, tom yum, etc. Masses of people are under the night sky and everyone is filled with only good vibes. Not only that, the lights of motorbikes to stores lit the way for the nightlife to become alive. But, my favorite way to intake the moving nightlife were the night markets. As soon as the skies were painted with black every booth or food truck would appear on the street for the hungry customers. Crowds of people would rush their way to the food stands to taste the delicious food of whatever it provided. It was exhilarating. I felt enthralled by the whole scene and so did my mind. The whole scenery of it simply threw out any thoughts of the past away only the night markets were present in my mind. Other than the mind blowing scene of the night markets I always enjoyed the large crowds of unknown people. When I'm around with a large crowd I can reflect on how the world doesn't just revolve around me. I'm able to see every person passing by me who has experienced happiness, sadness, anger, etc and it makes me think that I'm not the only one who is stressed. Especially, in the night where hundreds of people are gathered happily, I know that when right now is my time to be in bliss and so I do.
















Bang Cheng Yun is my querencia. It is a place with memories that I can look back whenever I'm at my lows. I can always unwind to the scenery of the village whenever I am overwhelmed at something because, everything about it takes my mind off the subject of whatever. Every aspect of the village fills me with amusement because, everything is so different to where I reside in and I am in delight. The hot pot restaurant that my family and I love always bring back sweet moments when we were still always together and ignite happiness within me. Not only that, I still remember the savory last of hot pot and I begin to just focus on how delicious it is making me feel at ease and hungry. Then, the lively nightlife reminds me that I am not alone in my struggles. Those three aspects of Bang Cheng Yun allow my mind to escape to times when I was carefree whenever I was feeling frustrated about something because, I become absorbed in the memories. With every memory I recall my mind feels as if I can conquer anything because, I feel more motivated when I remember the tasty hot pot. Although, it is not a place that I can go to anytime, I'm still able to let my mind float to the past and feel relieved. Bang Cheng Yun is my querencia.






























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3 comments

  1. Great Job I like how your special place is really important to you. I like how your special place some where far from here.I like how you are showing how wonderful this place is to you instead of telling us how important this place is to you. I like how your story is fluent and how it persuade me to think what you think about your special place.

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  2. Hi Kari!
    Your "querencia" is absolutely preeminent! It certainly surpasses my "qurencia." This had a good balance of reflection and information enough to help me to truly perceive the intended meaning of this whole essay. It was so specific when it came to details and it allowed me to really appreciate why this is your "special" place. It was definitely clear on what you were trying to say, especially when pointing out the many aspects of Bang Cheng Yun like the scenery, the village itself, and that "Oishi" restaurant. There's really not much of a problem with your essay, everything seems well by itself but I would really like to have just a bit, JUST A BIT more of the importance of this place. Not saying that you have to, but it's just a small suggestion. BUT Everything flowed out in an order which allowed me to build up the reasons in my head of why you like this place so much. Your grammar usage was simply outstanding! It gave a clearer presentation of the topic. I can definitely hear your voice throughout the whole essay. It gave me the picture that this is YOUR querencia, YOUR special place. This surely includes many of your personal thoughts that really amplifies your piece overall. Without a doubt, you really did persuade me on actually visiting this place. I never really had a thought or interest in it before, but after reading this essay, I actually want to visit Band Cheng Yun and experience looking at the scenery and that "Oishi" restaurant. This essay was overall GREAT. Good Job! btw... the fourth paragraph I believe, make the "i" uppercase "The conversations I had with my family was memorable because, i truly felt as if I was myself and so were they." OKAY. GOOD JOB.

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  3. EXCELLENT ROUGH DRAFT, THE AMOUNT OF DETAIL AND IMAGERY YOU HAVE ADDED REALLY PRODUCES POWERFUL IDEAS. THE ONE THING I WOULD SAY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER IS ADDING WHAT EXACTLY SEPARATE THIS PLACE FROM OTHERS OR WHAT YOU ARE USE TO. YOU TALK ABOUT NIGHT LIFE AND HOW ITS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU ARE USED TO BUT YOU DON'T EXPLAIN WHAT IT USUALLY IS. LASTLY, BECAUSE YOU HAVE SO MANY GREAT IDEAS THE ESSAY RUNS A BIT LONG ON JUST STORY AFTER STORY, MAYBE NARROW IT DOWN TO ONLY A FEW OF YOUR BEST MEMORIES AND THEN ADD REFLECTION WHEN IT COMES TO BEING TO BE STRESS FREE. ALSO DISCUSS AT THE END THE IDEA OF JUST THINKING ABOUT THE PLACE THAT HELPS YOU GET THROUGH TOUGH TIMES. MS(3)

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