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Featured English Song
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Black is student's original writing
Blue is teacher's correction
Red is teacher's explanation
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My Neighborhood Essay, English Composition Writing on
My Neighborhood
{1} Having long been living in this alley, I know almost everyone
here. It is, however, the housewives that I usually see in the
daytime, the rest being either out working as family providers or
away in school. All these housewives are kind and considerate. My
mother, for example, takes care of my sister's daughter even though
she herself is busy with housekeeping' yet if she finds it necessary
to go out shopping, she need not worry because there is always
someone in the neighborhood coming over of her own will to
help with our household chores. When suppertime is over, these
housewives also like to gather at a certain place for a friendly
chat about the daily goings-on in the alley or other things. They
are also security-conscious, trying to keep each other out of harm's
way. I is thanks to such mutual help and precaution against harm
that we in the alley have lived so happy and so undisturbed a life.
{2} We have moved into this apartment for nineteen months. Our
neighbors are an assorted group including merchants, teachers,
grocers and government employees. Once I went hurriedly to work and
forgot to turn off the faucet connected by a hose to the washing
machine. It was only when I got to my office that I remembered what
I neglected to do. Anxious and uneasy, I called up one of my
neighbors, a Mrs. Lin, to ask her to take care of the faucet. She
was obliging enough to do what she was told to do and I was so
grateful. According to an old Chinese saying, a distant relative is
less likely to help you out than a near neighbor. There is certainly
a ring of truth in this. There are, however, neighbors and
neighbors. Although our neighbors are generally friendly and always
ready to help us, there are some who tend to do something
unpleasant. They scatter their garbage where it is not supposed to
be scattered and a couple living on the floor just above us often
quarrel and fight around midnight with so much noise that I simply
cannot have a good sleep at all. The Bible says, "Love thy
neighbor." Well said, but I would like to add: Make yourself lovable
before you expect to be loved by others. I really hope all of my
neighbors will love each other. Only under such circumstances can we
find our hours at home enjoyable.
{3} I live in a rural area. As in most rural areas, this area has
plenty of fresh air and luxuriant vegetation. What makes me even
happier is the neighbors I have, all of them simple and honest
folks. I don't think I can find the like of them in a city. In
general, city dwellers, except in their own small circles of
acquaintances, see each other as total strangers, and it is not
unusual to find people living in the same apartment house brush past
each other without showing any sign of recognition, not so much as a
nodding of the head. Neighbors are usually compared to our close
friends and as such they should help each other if help is sought.
My neighbors are all farmers, who are rich, not in material
possessions, but in hospitality, and their honesty to help are
legendary. For reasons quite obvious, it is important to get along
well with our neighbors and avoid quarreling with them over
trivialities. I am a good neighbor to my neighbors, and so are they
to me.
{4} Our ol
d home was located on a grassy plain and not far from it
were wide farms and a big orchard. There was a dirt road running
past our house and winding up a hill; along the road you could find
a serpentine creek alive with fish and prawn as well as a big pond
often cluttered with blooming lotuses. The grassy plain, wide farms,
dirt road, crooked creek and the pond are the things I can hardly
forget and also the things that often put me in mind of my days
first as a child and then as an adolescent. But, alas, no traces are
now left of the scene of my past. Our old house has given way to a
high apartment building; the dirt road is now replaced by a smooth
highway; the wide farms and that big orchard have long been
converted into factory grounds. Though I have lived in that
apartment building for a long time, I am not acquainted with my
fellow occupants, not knowing who they are and what they are. I
dislike this impersonal human relationship and also the surroundings
of my present dwelling place. The old creek is still there but so
heavily polluted by a near-by factory that neither fish nor humans
can find its water drinkable. There is also no fresh air, no
fragrance of the soil. I deplore the side-effects of a material
civilization. If we do no try to solve the problems that plague our
neighborhood, the quality our life will simply turn from bad to
worse.
{5} If there is anything special about my neighborhood, it is
that there is a beautiful orchard and all the residents are good
neighbors. Far removed from any heavy traffic flows, this
neighborhood is also a place of peace and quiet. I can still picture
to myself how I spent my girlhood happily here. Besides playing
boisterous ball games on the ground we children also played in the
trees of the orchard and picked whatever fruits we could lay our
hands on. Each of us had his of her own pets, such as dogs, guinea
pigs, pigeons and even butterflies. Fast friends we were in those
years, Our parents often gathered in one place for a chit-chat after
supper and we children were rapt listeners even though we did not
really understand what they were talking about. They were never
harsh on us kids. Our next-door neighbor Mrs. Wang was especially
liked by us because she habitually sent us cookies. Our own grandma
was an excellent story-teller and we children often fell under the
spell of her fascinating stories. Mr. Chang was also an
unforgettable character. Whenever we saw him he was singing and his
baby face and soft voice pleased us all. This is my neighborhood, a
world unto its own which has remained largely unchanged in so many
years. It is nice to live here and my neighbors will surely agree
with me.
{6} I live in the country. Our family lives by farming. Close to our
home is a small farm. In spring we can see the tender green of the
young paddy shoots mellow with the passing of the months. Looming in
the distance from our farm are the blue mountains, which are clad in
all shades of red at sunset. What a spectacle! I often said to
myself when I looked away at those mountains at such a moment. The
wonders of nature, I believe, can have a soothing effect on anyone
in distress. Not far away from our house lives an old couple. They
always get up early and then go for a walk hand in hand. They never
quarrel and live like a pair of newlyweds. With no children living
with them, they take helping others as a way to alleviate their
feeling of loneliness. They are my most affectionate grandparents. I
love them as they do me. I hope that someday when I get married my
wife and I can live like them in the country enjoying a carefree
life.
{7} One of my best neighbors is Mr. Chang, a thirty-year-old, tall
and handsome, friendly and considerate man. He is a hard worker,
especially so in the past when he had to make money to feed his
family. Now his hard-working habit has paid off; he has established
his own business and his family is in much better financial shape
than ever before. He has a deep-seated sense of honor and is
trustworthy, industrious and tolerant and it is such virtues, I
think, that win him respect and make him well established in
society. By contrast, Mrs. Li is one of my worst neighbors. She is a
woman in her forties, bulky and with a strident voice. She likes to
shout her demands, which greatly annoy us, and is also
self-righteous in everything and intolerant of any small faults of
others. How others would feel is not what she cares. Rich as she is,
she is disliked by all her neighbors.
{8} The Wangs, a family of five, are our next door neighbors.
It is seven years since they moved into our neighborhood. The oldest
of the family is the grandma. She is over seventy and hard of
hearing; so if you speak to her you must speak louder than usual.
Mr. and Mrs. Wang are both teachers; he teaches English and she
music. They have two twin daughters who look much alike and always
wear the same clothes. Although I have known these two girls for
seven years, yet it is difficult for me to tell the one from the
other. The Wangs are characteristically warm-hearted and it seems
that they are always ready to help anyone in need of help. Neighbors
are said to be a group who can hardly agree on anything; however,
the longer I get along with the Wangs, the more I like them. I am
glad I have such good neighbors and I have a hunch that they feel
the same as I do.
What Kind
of Neighbor are You? Try Our Good Neighbor Quiz
1. I know ____________ neighbors on my block.
a. Zero (why bother, I'm never home anyway)
b. 1-4
c. 5-10
d. 11 or more
2. When a new neighbor moves onto my block, I
a. wouldn't know that they are new.
b. request that they cut down the large weeping
willow tree in their yard that has been perpetuating
the annoying squirrel problem in the area.
c. introduce myself and give my phone number in case
of an emergency.
d. bring over a Welcome Bag, invite them to the next
neighborhood meeting, and provide them with a copy
of the neighborhood directory.
3. If my neighbor and I have a conflict that I
don't think we can resolve on our own, I
a. Leave harassing phone messages and prepare to
sell the house.
b. Avoid addressing the conflict until emotions are
extremely high.
c. Hold a neighborhood meeting to establish mutual
expectations in the neighborhood.
d. Utilize a conflict resolution/mediation service
to resolve the problem as quickly and easily as
possible. (Did you know the Town has one?)
4. When I park my car,
a. I park on my front lawn.
b. Speed into the neighborhood with my stereo
blasting before parking in front of a neighbor's
house.
c. I park in front of a neighbor's house but am
careful to turn my stereo down so as to not disturb
them.
d. I park in my garage, driveway, or in front of my
own house.
5. When I leave on vacation, I
a. Don't tell a soul…nobody will notice that I'm
gone anyway.
b. Make sure the automatic sprinkler system is on.
c. Leave a phone number where I can be reached in an
emergency with a trustworthy neighbor.
d. Arrange with a neighbor for the lawn to be mowed,
plants watered, and/or snow shoveled. I also leave
emergency phone numbers, house keys, and travel
plans with neighbors.
6. My dog (IF APPLICABLE) Other Animal:
____________
a. Barks 24 hours a day.
b. Gets accused by other neighbors of
barking. I, however, am convinced that it is not MY
Rosco who is causing the problem.
c. Is generally quiet and well behaved unless the
doorbell rings or the mailman comes?
d. Is always on a leash and picked up after on
walks.
7. My yard could be described as:
a. Yard? Do you mean the junkyard?
b. The Sherwood Forest: It'll be nice once I mow the
grass and cut down these overgrown branches.
c. Acceptable: it's as well kept as the other yards
on my block.
d. The Garden of Eden: I've won the "pride in
property" award 4 consecutive years.
8. When I hear of meetings or activities
happening in my neighborhood, I
a. Crumple up the notice left on my door and
throw it into my front yard.
b. Half-heartedly try to convince my spouse/a friend
to attend so that we don't look bad.
c. Attend and do the best I can to help organize.
d. Run the meetings, host the garage sale, and
infect others with my contagious enthusiasm.
9. I would describe my neighborhood as a place
where
a. I sleep (and occasionally pick up a ticket or
warning from Town Code Enforcement)
b. Most people can be assured that they won't get
any of their personal possessions stolen.
c. I can relax.
d. I feel connected and valued. This is my favorite
place to spend my time.
10. If I am hosting a party at my house that will
last late at night, I
a. Expect to receive a noise ticket from the
Town. Who can control all of these people anyway?
b. Call the non emergency police number (961-1150)
if things get too out of control.
c. Leave neighbors with a phone number where
our sober host can be contacted if they are
disturbed.
d. Notify neighbors in advance, identify a
sober host at the party, control the number of
people invited to the party, and monitor guests as
they arrive and leave the house. I also check in
with neighbors after the party to make sure
that the noise level was acceptable to them.
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Essay 2:
Neighboring Helps
Everyone Succeed
In communities across America, the
spirit of self-sufficiency and "giving back" is alive and well –
and solving local problems. "Neighboring" is bringing residents
in neighborhoods facing tough challenges together with local
community members, businesses, churches, and other stakeholders
to design effective volunteer solutions like never before.
From a wealth of experience in strengthening families and
transforming neighborhoods like West Central, the Points of
Light Foundation, with support from The Annie E. Casey
Foundation, developed the neighboring model. The model shows
that no matter what community you live in, neighboring holds a
place for every one of us to add our talents to change our
neighbors' lives for the better.
In the old days, society's most intransigent problems were often
solved by outside organizations or government agencies swooping
in like angels from the skies, setting up a food bank or
tutoring program, then leaving. Within a year or two, such
initiatives usually died, leaving nothing behind but memories
and few lasting results.
We're now at a crossroads in the concept of social service,
where the path of challenged neighborhoods like Springfield's
West Central District, intersects with the reality of fading
community resources.
West Central is a perfect example of what's long been dubbed a
"tough neighborhood." Conditions make it hard for families and
children to succeed, and residents struggle to overcome odds.
Long-time Springfield resident Sharon Burns, a teacher at West
Central Elementary, decided to try and change things right where
she lived and worked. She'd seen too many kids she'd taught in
first grade end up in jail before high school graduation. She
took the neighboring concept to heart, which meant enlisting a
broad spectrum of the community to come together to solve local
problems.
Within six months, Sharon had parents, businesses, churches,
other teachers, and students in West Central schools working
together to improve the odds for young people in the
neighborhood through a child care center co-op called New
Visions Child Development Center. Parents who give time to watch
children, made meals, or who read to the children get free
childcare themselves in return. Volunteers find rewards, both
tangible and intangible come from having a hand in improving
their lives.
The bottom line is: Volunteering works. And today, more people
are giving of their time to serve their neighbors. The
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor
reported that both the number of volunteers and the volunteer
rate rose over the year ending in September 2003. About 63.8
million people did volunteer work at some point from September
2002 to September 2003, up from 59.8 million for the similar
period ended in September 2002. The percentage of the American
population who volunteered has increased to 28.8 percent, up
from 27.4 percent the previous year.
In West Central, more people – from all age groups, ethnicities,
individually and together as families – are banding together to
make the changes that matter in their neighborhood. Working with
nonprofits, businesses, educational institutions, and the
government, they are creating a culture of service and
citizenship. New Visions is the first of what could be many such
projects. From after school tutoring programs to food banks and
health services, there is no limit to what the power of
neighbors working together can accomplish.
West Central is a developing success story. Everyone in our
community should keep an eye on its progress and pitch in – if
not in West Central, then in your own neighborhood. Paying real
attention to our fellow citizens and looking for solutions that
we can build with our own hands – these are the gifts we can
give to each other that make our communities and our country
great.
Essay 3: A
Neighborhood Field Study
Downtown Champaign is a neighborhood
of great contrast and would be perfect for the continued study
of neighborhoods and their dynamics. The housing really varies
within the area and it has tons of businesses available to the
residents. It also has a variety of communal structures that add
to the social capital within the neighborhood. This area has
been the center of the Champaign community since its inception,
and the feel of this neighborhood’s business embodies the time
period in which it was built.
The housing of this area presents a vast array of options.
Unlike most suburbs the housing in this area is not just
restricted to one type of housing. The area boasts houses and
apartments and that vary vastly in styles. Most of the houses in
the area are older (around 30s or 40s maybe earlier) and are of
Victorian decent. Due to their age some of the houses are in
extreme disrepair, during the visit there were at least three
crews working on renovations for several houses in the area.
Some of the houses in the area were boarded and looked
abandoned, yet others appeared brand new from the outside.
Furthermore, there was quite a bit of variation in colors and
styles instead of the three and four set designs that are often
employed in suburban development. The houses for the most part
had extremely big porches and garages tended to be non existent
or detached in alley fashion or off and to the back of the
house. These porches were usable and overall had quite a bit of
patio furniture playing testament to there constant use. The
streets in the residential area are made of brick and are
further proof of the age of this community. The apartments of
the area also showed quite a bit of variation. There were many
apartment buildings in the area ranging from torn down section
nine housing all the way to elegant lofts and they were
scattered throughout the community with the apartments being
closer to the retail shops and cafes. There was an especially
nice set of apartments or condos that had just been built in a
new building that houses a bank and room for other future shops.
In addition to the residential section, there is also quite a
few businesses, restaurants, and other establishments that are
scattered through this neighborhood as well.
Being as this is downtown Champaign there are various businesses
that dwell within this area. There are quite a few banks in the
area that can probably be attributed to it being one of the
denser metropolitan areas in the county. As well as banks the
neighborhood has many other mom and pop type stores that reside
in the area. These include music shops, antique shops,
convenience store, kid’s museum, law firms, real estate offices,
the Virginia Theatre, and other establishments. Most of these
establishments are located mainly around Neil and Walnut and are
separate from the residential area by about a block maybe
less—except for the apartments that are on top of businesses. In
addition to businesses they also have many other establishments
that do great service for the community; some of the highlights
being a United Way office, AFL-CIO (union) coordinating office,
three churches, and a community YMCA. All of these
establishments are located around a central park that is the
main focal point of the area. West Side Park is in the center of
this community and contains about 12 acres of land. In the park
there is a statue at the very center, playground, a bandstand,
and several walking paths. This community also has quite a few
establishments for eating, drinking, and socializing: the Seven
Saints, Guidos, Cakes on Walnut, the Esquire Lounge, Jim Goulds,
Seven Saints, the Brass Rail, Boltini Lounge, and various other
establishments. Some but not all of these establishments fit
most of the parameters for third places as well. After speaking
with workers and visiting a few of these establishments (Guidos,
Cakes on Walnut, and the Brass Rail), most of them fit under the
category of third places; they are fairly priced for food and
drink, have quite a few regulars, and a community following.
Lastly this community has two schools that reside within its
limits as well. There is a small catholic school that resides
next to a church and Champaign Central resides near the park as
well. The catholic school seemed like it would be private. One
of the mothers that we consulted stated that the kids come in
from all over the area and not necessarily the community. Some
come from as far as Mahomet to attend school there. Champaign
Central draws kids from across the area too and is housed in a
rather old building. It is important to mention the changes that
this neighborhood is experiencing as well. There are quite a few
new buildings in the area (the new parking garage and high
rise), and many old structures, houses and businesses alike, are
being renovated or torn down. Despite this, the community has
been able to retain its hometown feel and a great variation of
businesses.
All in all this would be a rather interesting neighborhood to
study. Though it has some modern aspects, it is built in the old
fashioned and therefore has many characteristics that were
instrumented in older society. Most places within the community
are within walking distance, is built around a center focal
point sort of like a square, and the housing contains styles
that were popular in that area. Though it is going thru massive
changes, if chosen for research, downtown Champaign would
provide interesting results that would more than likely affirm
many of the facets of the articles that we have read and studied
throughout the semester.
An Essay About My
Neighborhood
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