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Philadelphia is a pretty amazing city. Born and raised here, Philadelphia will always be apart of me. I go to school here, I had my first date in this city, my first job and soon I will have my prom here too.

Philadelphia has a lot of great amenities, it’s mostly just a city with tall building and busy streets, but if you wander around, you might find a little pocketful of nature. Besides all the building, and the big city lights, Philly has creeks and woods. One of my favorite spots is the Wissahickon Creek. Trying to find sanity in life, I go to the Wissahickon and climb to the tallest rock to oversee the city… I don’t see much of the city because it’s covered by tall families of trees… just the way I like it. It gives you an opportunity to take your eyes off your sinking feet and the “devil himself”, technology. It directs your senses to the trees whispering, the wind blowing, and the birds singing. In the Wissahickon, you find innocence, that innocence that you once had as a child, when nothing in the world mattered but dancing with the bountiful trees. You’re stepping out of a dream and realizing how wonderful it.   

Philadelphia also has a lot of exposure for cool things. There are a bunch of events and opportunities for you to grow and to gain experience. Small organizations such as “Public Workshop” where it gives you an opportunity to figure out what you want to do in life. Through Public Workshop, I decided that I want to be an Architect and Industrial Designer. I’ve collaborated with some really amazing people to gain lots of experience which colleges LOVE!

When I think of Philadelphia, I think of a Nat King Cole song called “You Stepped Out of a Dream”. It goes a little like this:

You

Stepped out of a dream,

You are too wonderful

To be what you seem.

Could there be eyes like yours?

Could there be lips like yours?

Could there be smiles like yours,

Honest and truly?

You

Stepped out of a cloud,

I want to take you away

Away from the crowd,

And have you all to myself,

Alone and apart.

Out of a dream

Safe into my heart.

Philly is truly unique, there’s no other city really like it. It’s like a dream that came to….

Unfortunately, I do plan on leaving Philadelphia simply because I want to experience all the world has the other. I think I have had enough of the city life and I want to move on to more down to earth places, like India or Hawaii or Thailand. I want to meet new people, get to know their struggles and testimonies. I want to become “one with nature”, and live life a little bit not in a concrete jungle but an actual jungle that will never leave me unsatisfied.  

Sunrises peeking over the skyline to say good morning,

sunsets dipping under Boathouse Row to say good night.

The row is illuminated without warning,

the eyes of every child reflect the sight.

Drivers rush passed, dismissing the glow that it's adorning,

But we all know here in Philly, the beauty is true beholding.

#writemycommunity

Philadelphia

I live in the city of Philly with a community that is much like family,

We love, laugh, struggle, and cry together,

Closely knit like the yarn of a sweater,

The home of many firsts,

Universities, libraries, and even the first school of anatomy,

And mouth-watering delicacies from around the world to indulge yourself in,

A melting pot filled to the brim,

We speak what’s on our mind,

By protests and strikes against “unfair” treatment for our teachers and students alike,

We lay down the road for education of our future generations,

Multiple opportunities to find myself,

Multiple opportunities to experience,

I have been given the paint by the city,

Now it is time to start my picture.

If you walked through Cherry Street or the side streets surrounding it, you’d come face to face with rows and rows red brick homes pressed together tightly, decorated with tiny plants, road bikes, and election signs.

Stroll just a block or two north, and you’d get explore the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. You could visit the Central Library, the cornerstone of a gigantic free library system or the Franklin Institute, a world renowned hands on science museum. Or let yourself be amazed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art- home to artistic and architectural achievements from the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

From there, just a SEPTA (the public transit system) ride away is South Street. The long street the divides Center City and South Philadelphia is always teeming with animated hipsters, somber artists and everyone in between. If you like shops or restaurants with character, South Street is full of both.

Finally, yet another short walk or ride east is Olde City, an area highly concentrated with national historic landmarks. Visit Independence Hall to see where the US first established its values. The Constitution Center will teach you about the document that governs the supreme courts and Liberty Places houses the well known Liberty Bell. All of these historic gold mines are situated on cobblestone streets where horse-and-buggies crowd the intersections.

#writemycommunity

There is a little part of every city known as Chinatown. Within the Chinatown in Philadelphia, there is a little Chinese American community. I am a Chinese American, so I feel like Chinatown is a very important part of who I am and my culture. There is non-profit organization that I am very proud to be apart of that is based in the Philadelphia Chinatown area. This organization is called the Philadelphia Suns, which was established in 1972. The Philadelphia Suns started as a basketball team of youths in Chinatown, which brought the community together. The Philadelphia Suns is a very community based organization. Their goal is to build character within their members. The Philadelphia Suns want to spread positivity within the community, so those people could take it to their personal and professional lives. They want to encourage volunteerism and sportsmanship. Their mission is to advocate athletics, cultural and educational opportunities. As being a member of the Philadelphia Suns I get to, learn so many new things and meet new people inside and outside of the Philadelphia area. I feel like personally I have become a better and more well rounded person every since I have joined the Suns. I feel more than a part of an organization, more like a community that I like to call my family.

You say coffee, we say ‘cawfee’. You call it a sub, we call it a hoagie. You say “water” we say “wooder”. “Hey! Get that jawn for me over there? No the other jawn”. The thing is, you really can’t experience or understand real “Philly” unless you’ve lived here yourself. Outsiders may be alarmed at how different our lives are from their own. For example, It’s easy for Philadelphians to take SEPTA (public transportation) everywhere, or knowing where to get the best pizza in South Philly, and finding the nearest Wawa to demolish those certain cravings you have throughout the day. With all the social and historical events that went and goes on in the City of Brotherly love, Philadelphia is my home and I’m proud to live here.
All year round, Philly people are so hype whenever our sports teams are playing. Either watching it on live television, tailgating in the parking lot of the stadium, or actually having season tickets, we are the most proud fans and outshines any other fans. Whether we’re cheering for the Phillies, Eagles, Flyers, or the Sixers, we go to the extreme and probably voted the best fans any sports team can ever have. When watching a Philly team on t.v with a Philly person, expect to have many snacks, loud voices at the television, and a lot of team spirit.
Historically, Philly is where it’s at. Having the Declarations of Independence signed, to the first post office and university. Greats like Benjamin Franklin resided in Philadelphia and made it a better place to live. We also have a bell, a very cool bell. The Liberty Bell in fact, basically symbolizes our city.

People have many misconceptions about Philly residences, but it’s hard to judge what you don’t know. Philadelphia is an amazing city and should be on everybody’s places to visit list one day in their lives. We love our city and you should too.

Philly is LOVE Park..home of the most beLOVED actors, rappers, artists..

It is a place that is not usually seen for what it is by it’s own community unless we are in the spotlight, which we usually are...for good or bad.

To know Philly is to love Philly, cheesesteaks, South Street, Penns Landing.. is usually where our “magic” happens. We are THE most dedicated fans to our sports teams. The Eagles, Phillies and The Sixers. We look forward to our free coffee after a good win.

Philly is where you’ll hear the most slang used for the simplest things, but we have to add our own kick to everything.

Philly is SEPTA. Like it or not, from The Frankford EL Train to the Broad Street Line Subway. It’s how most of us get around.

Yes, we have our bad reputations from gun violence to a crappy school district but we shut Center City down in a heartbeat because we are passionate about what we deserve.

People still come from all over to observe the famous Art Museum and watch us shut it down for Made In America or Fourth of July at The Ben Franklin Parkway. We know how to throw parties big time!

To know Philly is to love Philly. Philly is home and home is where the heart is.

I’m from Philly.

Same place where Kevin Hart, Will Smith, Seth Green, and many more grew up.

Reading terminal, South Street, and cheesesteaks.

Lincoln Financial Field, Liacouras Center, and Wells Fargo Center, home to our Eagles, Sixers, and Flyers so go enjoy a game!

Philly has some of the most die heart fans.

That jawn is popping! Go get some wooder!

You’re probably thinking, “What is jawn and wooder?”

We aren’t as dangerous as you may think, come visit!

It’s dangerous wherever you go if you want to be technical.

I don’t know, it doesn’t seem that dangerous to me.

Philadelphia, so historical.

But how many Philadelphians actually go to Old City?

I went!

I live in West Philadelphia.

Busy, but never boring.

The el, the subway, the trolley, the bus.

Currently, the fact that we are rumored to be one of the most dangerous cities, and our educational system is skeptical, is disappointing.

Every city needs work, none are perfect.

But it takes the right people in order to make the change.

Not just a few, but a community.

One day, I will leave my city, but I will come back.

I can’t wait to give back to my city.

I will never forget.

I’m from Philly.

My LAN consists of my chromebook, my other laptop, phone, and tablet. This process was quite an experience. My "OMG" moment would have been when I learned and very much understood that Acceptable Use Policies are very important to read and actually understand it. The advice I would give to people is to always read your AUP and make sure you home network is worth it.

My community is very diverse and has a wide range of cultures, and ethnic backgrounds. Living in Philadelphia I take all of the Historical Monuments and figures for granted. I live in walking distance to everything. Live in Southwest Center city, some people like to refer to to where I live as Center city. My neighborhood is so white. All I see parked outside my door are “Priuses” and “Subarus”. I can’t the closes Poppy store is 4 blocks away.  In the hood there is one within every 3 feet. I love the fact that I live near  near everything, but the only people that live in my neighborhood are middle aged white people . I can walk to the center city in like 10 minutes. I live 10 to 15 minutes away University City.

Philly is known as the “City of Brotherly Love”. Philly is a great and bad place. There are so many opportunities in Philly. You learn or see something new everyday. We have the best cheesesteaks here in Philly. It’s crazy to believe that how Philly has so many amazing sights and historical events that took place here.

There are many parts of Philly, such as Southwest, South, West, North, Northeast Philly. Each place has it own feeling.

In Philly, the people here are love their sports team, whether it is basketball, football, hockey or baseball. Their is like a special bond between the fans.

The food in Philly is the best. Everywhere you go, there will always be a food store.

When you hear the word "Philadelphia", some people seem to get mixed reactions about it. Whether its about the cheesesteak, rocky, the declaration of independence, or even the most ignorant responses, such as “Isn’t that a Detroit-like city?” Trust me, Philly is nothing like Detroit. AT ALL. How do I know? Our Basketball Team Is named after a historical Reference, not a car part. Anyway, I'm from a small nook of what was Upper South Philly, Now seen as part of Center City, on the near outskirts. My Neighborhood Is Centered with Broad Street to the east, Washington Avenue to the South, Grays Ferry Avenue to the West, And South Street to the north. That area Is Called Southwest Center City. Prepared to go on a trip in time.

I moved into SW Center City When I was 2. in June Of 2000, onto a side street. At the Time, there was seven empty lots. 14 years later, the seven lots are now new houses. All of my neighbors were nice, for the most part. They were mostly white (I never had an issue with it). However, I had a better time at my great-grandmother's Apartment building. Her Place is off of Pennsylvania Avenue In Fairmount. Right Across the way from the Art Museum and a couple blocks from Eakin’s Oval And the Parkway. In Recent Years, that area has become the place to be. I love it any would never give it up. But Between both of these communities, they're equally home, even though most of the time im up in Fairmount. Thats another majority white area. Most of the time I dont seem to worry about demographics, but they don't matter, as long as you’re genuine, then we’ll be just fine. Besides, Philly Raised and Made Me.

#writemycommunity

What people need to know about the community of Philadelphia is that Philadelphia

is the friendliest place in on earth, it also has the best food that you could ever find in the whole country and what I’m talking about is of course cheesesteaks because we are original and no one can make it as good as ours. Another thing that makes me proud of living in Philadelphia is that from my experience is that we are mostly known because of rocky and the Rocky steps.   

People come to Philly because of its historical importance:  birthplace of the nation, home of liberty, we’ve all heard the story.  They come for history, but many neglect to see the city in its current state.  When you walk Market Street, you can feel the people.  So many people, living their lives, buying things, commuting, working.  The air feels alive.  When you walk through Love Park, you feel the activity.  People relaxing, talking, enjoying themselves.  Live music, the bands trying to make a little cash.  Over one hundred shops near Christmas time, selling things you can’t find anywhere else: hand-made ornaments, food you’ve never seen before.  These things make me never want to leave, making life outside of a city seem unbearable.  Too many people miss the most essential part of this beautiful city.  People come and see, but they don’t experience.