Where The World Began Where did your world started? Did your world start right after you were born? Or did it start at some point you came to realize?

Essay by firenbellHigh School, 10th gradeA, October 2009

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It is a city filled with wonder and dreams; a city stitched into a pattern of hundreds of cultures; a city both complicated and simple; a city that shines like a bright northern star. This astonishing place is called Toronto. This is where I set roots after I got off the giant silver bird, under a borderless sky, and where my dreams I hope, will soar. Such a fantastic place it is, with beautiful scenery throughout the seasons, so many people wanting to help and join hands with each other, whatever their colour happens to be. It is this city of Toronto that opened my eyes, my mind, and where my world truly began.

My memory of the city started in an ocean of dazzling colourful lights that spread almost endlessly over the land. That was my first impression, — the glamorous Toronto night filling my whole sight. I arrived during the summer, the period when Toronto is embedded in vitality.

White dandelions danced with the wind and the colour of green — grass yards, bushes, trees and gardens which covered every part of the city. The wild animals became energetic, squirrels jumping on trees, birds flying in crowds, and raccoons running in people’s backyards. Then autumn falls, changing from green into multi colours — pines still green, maple leaves burning red and others dyed yellow, all put together to form an unique picture only Toronto can offer. Along the shore of Lake Ontario, the inverted image of autumn reflects in the clear blue water and mirrors into peoples’ eyes, resulting in a feeling of peace. In winter, snowflakes descend from the sky, like a playful child and hide the ground under its white quilt. People sweep the snow on road asides, so it often form hills on the side of the street where little children climb up and down or have a snowball fight. After that the spring came again, melting the snow into little streams flowing down the road. The grass awakens, begins to turn green and grows again. Flowers bloom in pinks, whites, rose coloured, releasing their beauty all at once after a year’s silence. After that the pedals fall to the ground, spreading themselves in a range of colours along the way.

Located near our house is a park with a tennis court. During the summer, my friends and I went there and spent hot afternoons with racquets and flying yellow balls. Sometimes we met other tennis players, having seen our lame skills who, come over to us and instruct us on how to play better. I have met so many incredible warm people who have set a great example for me. My English was not very good when I arrived. Despite the help from my school ESL teacher, there were also people volunteer English tutors who helped me improve my English over the summer vacation. Whenever I had questions and places I didn’t understand, I was always able to get help. Another thing that astounded me the most were the unique multicultural groups in Toronto. People from so many different places, in the world speaking over 140 languages have made Toronto their homes. People here are trying to eliminate discrimination by passing laws, volunteering to deliver speeches, and call on media like the newspaper or television. Black, brown, yellow and white skinned people work together, go to school together, and become friends with each other. Though discrimination is something that certainly won’t be eliminated overnight, people are trying hard to reduce it over the past years.

Living in a city like Toronto has huge influence upon me. Tony is a friend I met while playing tennis. I have taught Tony the basic skills of tennis just like those kind players who taught me. I enjoy helping people, not only in tennis, but whenever I see someone needs help. I began to volunteer, teaching little children how to read, arranging fun events for them, and helping teenagers on the phone line by listening to their worries and problems. These were things I never imagined that I would do before I came to Toronto. Also, the efforts of people trying to avoid and reduce discrimination have inspired me and affected my way of viewing things. When I meet a person, I do not look at his colour. I look at the kind of person he is inside. This I have learned in my new home.

This is where my world began, a city that opened my door to a different world. I feel I am a more tolerant person now. It was here I learned the happiness and satisfaction of helping people and the importance of becoming part of my community. I now feel rooted here, along with the red maples and blue lakes, with the mosaic colours of the world and, with the wings it has given me, I have taken off and started my journey to fly. No matter where my life path takes me, one thing is inalterable and is that this diversified and wonderful city of Toronto is where my world began.

Citing"Where The World Began" by Margaret Laurencehttp://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/8588.htmlBecause this essay was written in response to Margret's essay, there wasn't any research done. It was a personal essay