Bukowski1 Lauren Bukowski 3/26/13 Ingram English 1102 What is it like to be you? Who am I?

Before I can tell you who I am, I have to tell you about my family because without them I would not be the person I am today. Chapter 1: Brothers Families are the compass that guides us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter. ~Brad Henry My family, above everything else, is the most important thing in my life. I grew up being the only girl in my family, well, besides my mom. I have two older brothers: Patrick Ray Bukowski and Christopher Joseph Bukowski. Patrick is 7 years older than me; and Christopher is 5 years older than me. I grew up being closest to my mom because my brothers and I had such a big age difference. When we were younger we fought more than anyone could ever imagine. My parents had to separate all three of us for car rides because we would hit each other and tease each other constantly. As weve grown up, we have become very close and started to act a little nicer but every once and a while, my brothers still like to pull some childhood antics. For example, just last summer we were all at my grandparents house in California spending quality time with my ill grandpa, Tata, which means grandpa in Spanish. In case you didnt notice my milk chocolate skin tone and my strong Spanish accent, I am half Mexican. My brothers flight

Bukowski2 to Los Angeles landed in the early morning. As soon as they arrived to my grandparents house they ran straight to the room where I was sound asleep, picked me up, and threw me into the ice-cold swimming pool. Needless to say, we havent really matured to our full capacity, and truthfully, I hope that never happens. My brothers are the reason my childhood was so fun and crazy. Without them life would be boring. To this day, the three of us are still devoted to one another and continue to make amazing memories. But now, instead of skateboarding until the street lights come on and playing games in our swimming pool, we confide in one another, lift each other up, and love making new memories. Being the youngest has had its advantage. I have been able to watch my brothers mistakes and learn from them. Thanks to my brothers, I have learned how to stick up for myself and stay strong. This strength only came after countless pillow fights, building forts, and pool wars, and wrestling. Patrick and Christopher taught me to not only enjoy life but more importantly to enjoy the people in it. My love and devotion for my brothers will only continue to grow stronger as we continue to grow older.

Chapter 2: Mommy and Daddy All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother. Abraham Lincoln My mom, Susan Dolores Bukowski, is my biggest supporter and encourager in life. Ever since I was a little girl, she was shaping me into the young lady I am today. From the day I could walk and talk she taught me how to be caring, disciplined, and strong. Through my moms life experience and knowledge she taught me how to do everything from brushing my teeth all the way to being a caring, sensitive, and

Bukowski3 responsible young adult. My mom is my hero and her passion burns inside of me. She is the reason I am so passionate about doing everything to the best of my ability. As I have grown up, many family and friends who know us personally, tell me I am the spitting image of my mother and to hear those words makes me proud. I would love to be the amazing, strong, caring woman my mother is.

Like father, like daughter. I'm not surprised. - Carol Maturo Being the only girl in my family, my daddy treasures me. In the delivery room, the doctor let him hold my head and guide my birth into this world. He was even able to cut my umbilical cord! I have been his princess ever since that moment when I was born. My dad is probably one of the most knowledgeable and inspirational people I know. He is my go to guy for just about everything. Not only does he teach me about life but also business. My dad and I share a strong passion for business. My dad has always been a businessman. I grew up watching him make business charts and graphs, prepare for meetings, being on call day and night, and continuously earn promotions for his hard work and dedication. I am currently in the Belk College of Business following my daddys footsteps. I know my dad has great expectations for my life because he has a knack for recognizing successful character traits in people, which he attributes to his business training. I admire and try to display most of his traits. Like my dad always says, Once a princess always a princess. Chapter 3: Family Traditions Traditions have always played an important role in my family history. Since I was a baby, we have done the same two traditions every year. The first one is called The

Bukowski4 Five Grains of Corn. This tradition has its roots in early New England. It was the custom to place five kernels of corn at every plate as a reminder of the stern days in the first winter when the food of the Pilgrims was so depleted that only five kernels of corn were rationed to each individual at a time. The Pilgrim Fathers wanted their children to remember the sacrifice, sufferings, and hardships that made possible the settlement of a free people in a fee land. Every year at our Thanksgiving table, my mom places 5 kernels of corn above each persons plate. And just like our pilgrim for fathers, we each share what we are thankful for after our Thanksgiving feast. This has always been an important part of our familys Thanksgiving because it reminds us of the things that we are most grateful for. Many tears are shed and our family grows closer and stronger every year because of this tradition. Most people associate Christmas dinner with baked ham, turkey, or other favorites. But when I think of Christmas, I think of tamales. Every year no matter where we are or how busy we are, my brothers, mom, aunt, grandma, and grandpa until he passed, and I get together and make homemade tamales. We make them in midDecember and freeze them so that they are ready to be steamed and savored on Christmas morning. The making of tamales always brings laughter and unforgettable memories. Some of the best times my family and I have had together was during the making of tamales. Made from scratch Tamales: Raw masa dough Ojas (Corn Husks) Cooked and Cubed Pork and/or beef

Bukowski5 Red Chile Sauce After you have cooked all the ingredients you combine the meat and red chili sauce so that it looks like Chile con Carne. Then you lay out all the ingredients in an assembly line. First, you open an oja, spread masa onto it, then put a scoop of meat in the middle, and top it with an optional green olive. Then you fold up the bottom half of the oja, and roll it up like a burrito, and freeze them until we are ready to eat them. We usually make about 12 to 15 dozen a year so that we can enjoy them throughout the year until its time to make them again! There is nothing better than homemade tamales. Tamales are our Christmas Eve dinner. In the morning, we eat them for breakfast but this time we top them with a fried egg and red chili sauce. When my family isnt together, I can steam a tamale for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Their aroma and taste take me back to very special memories. Chapter 4: Me Throughout my life span my family has helped me to become the person I am today: strong, bubbly, passionate, and motivated. It was through all our memories and life lessons that I slowly started to create an identity and learn who I am and what I aspire to be. My brothers have showed me how to be strong and stick up for myself ever since I was a toddler. All of my best memories from childhood were with them and I wouldnt trade them for the world. My parents have literally taught me everything and have been my role models ever since I can remember. I am a hard worker and learned how to cook food, clean dishes, and do laundry by the time I was in sixth grade. They taught me life lessons and enumerated the importance of learning from your mistakes. One of the biggest sayings they have always told me that will forever be stuck in my head is that

Bukowski6 Knowledge is power. As I have grown up, I have realized that this saying applies to everything. My family has had such a tremendous impact on my life and I truly would not be the person I am today without them. While I know I will continue to grow and change, I also know that Im ready and excited to touch and shape other peoples lives like my family has done to mine. Ever since college has started I have grown up tremendously. I have become more independent and disciplined in my schoolwork and I have finally realized how important an education is to me. Without college, I would be lost and would not know what to do with my life. Even though I have only been in college for nearly a year, I love every aspect of it. I have made some great friends and I have started to learn how to be more organized, reliable, and a better person. Aside from college, I am probably one of the bubbliest girls you will ever meet. I love to meet new people and I am super outgoing and always on the move. It seems Im always doing something, whether its going to the gym with friends or talking on the phone to my sweet 92-year-old grandma. I am a very happy person. If I dont have a smile on my face, my friends ask me whats wrong because normally I am always very positive. I love life and all the people in it, especially my family. I might get taller, change my hairstyle or amend my outward appearance, but I will always be Lauren Marie Bukowski. I have my family to thank for that.