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.  

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.

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.

What people need to know about the philadelphia community is that it is incredibly diverse. We have west philly, north philly, northeast philly, south west philly, and Center City. Depending on what part of philly your are from your views and opinions can be radically different. Many people deep in west philly know of “the struggle.” They have faced various hardships such as discrimination and hate within the community. However there is also good in community. Within west philly there are many community structures such as community gardens and Enterprise centers to help build small businesses.

People also need to know that Philadelphia is in a bit of crisis. Studies have shown that the Philadelphia School district is subpar compared to districts elsewhere. Furthermore we have an astounding crime rate. Slowly however but surely we are set for improvement and growth. Recently a police station has moved into my neighborhood and more stores and businesses have began to open up in my area. Don’t be surprised if you see articles chronicling Philadelphia as one of the cities with the highest improvement rate.