Caleb's Culture

I was born into a unique and multicultural family. On my mother’s side of the family, you’ll find the Mexican American culture. On my father’s side, you’ll find the Dominican New Yorker culture. Both cultures have a great impact on my life. I have chosen three ways that these cultures impact my life. These three examples of cultural impact are the main reasons for my personality, taste in music, and my taste for food.
The biggest impact that my mother’s Mexican American culture has on my life is my love for Spanish food. The Mexican American cultural food is well known here in Arizona. My mother was raised most of her life here in Arizona. She was born into a family that had a great love for Mexican food. That love for Mexican food was passed down to her and has been passed down to myself along with many of my siblings. My mother assists her sister who owns a restaurant in Northern Arizona. They both express their love for food to the many people who eat at the family restaurant.
My father was born in the capitol of Dominican Republic but raised in the heart and soul of Bronx New York. At the age of sixteen, he was exposed to the up and coming salsa sensation. He lived in a neighborhood that homed well-known Latin music artists. My father witnessed great performances from great artists such as Eddie Palmieri, Larry Harlow, Nicky Marrero, Ray Barretto and many more. By studying these artists, he acquired his great skill in playing Latin percussion instruments. His passion and love for this music has been passed down to me and thankfully at an early age. At the age of four, my father started teaching me the basics in Latin percussion. Now, thanks to him, I am performing in two different Salsa bands and also fill in as a percussionist in many other bands. The music of the Dominican culture though is Merengue. I, along with my father, have studied the Dominican music and am also playing this music in bands also.
The final impact that these two Latin cultures have on life is the common language. Both cultures are of the same language. Of course there are slang words that are different in the two languages, but the two cultures can unite because of the common relation in language. Both cultures, along with other countries and cultures, can express their feelings with each other because of this common language.
The last three examples were of cultural impact on my life. I, along with the rest of my family, am very proud of my two cultures. I am also greatly thankful for being born into these cultures.

- Caleb

Food, Glorious food

What is culture? Culture is a way of expressing yourself, a way of life, or anything you like to do. So, each person has their own individual culture. There are many aspects of culture, like recreation, art, music, and movies. But before someone finds and explores aspect of culture, they must recognize their own culture.
I myself have found it difficult to label myself in a cultural aspect. However, I believe that I am a German-American Jew. The Jewish culture which I belong to has always had many customs and beliefs, some which belong to Europe, and some which belong here. However, this being my home country, it is the most important place in my life.
I am most familiar with the food here because I have been in this country the longest. I am familiar with Italian, Mexican, and Asian foods because those are the main foreign foods which are in the United States. The main foreign foods which I enjoy are beef ravioli and lasagna, steak and fish tacos, chips and hot salsa, pad Thai noodles with chicken, hot & sour soup, and potstickers. I love eating foreign foods because in a way, I can taste how the foods represent their culture. Based on my dining experience, the Italian foods are very complex, and must be done a certain way; otherwise you could not enjoy it. The Mexican foods are full of spicy flavor, yet they have an ideal simplicity to them. Asian foods is also very simple and full of flavor, but the foods can taste sweet, salty, hot, cool, spicy, or sour. However, American foods are different from all of these.
American food has a certain taste and style which makes you feel "bored", in a way. For example, when my family and I got out for American food (ex. Red Robin, Wendy's, Friday's), I am usually satisfied with my food. However, I feel that another kind of flavor is needed, other than just salty or sweet. dct with all of these styles of food, my favorite style is German and Jewish food.
German food (in Europe) is very different from our food. For one thing, you cannot just get a glass of water in a restaurant. You must order a bottle of regular water or sparkling water (or any other beverage) along with your meal. Also, German food is full of unique and rich flavors that can easily go together in any combination; not just sweet and salty.
Jewish food is mildly complex, yet there is always food for everyone. Usually, on Friday evening, we light candles, drink wine, and eat a type of bread called a challah roll, to celebrate the Day of Rest when the Earth was created. There can be many types of challah, including plain, some with raisins, and some with cinnamon.
In closing, these are the types of food which affect my life and always make it a pleasure for me to eat.


-St. Benjamin