First Impressions -Essay-

                                   

           

            We went to four places we’re going to work as a volunteer, YMCA, west Berkeley senior center, north Berkeley senior center, and Jewish culture center. I had never been to senior center before. I liked every place. I enjoyed the tour today. These were different from my thinking, and I became excited to work there.

            First, we went to YMCA. It has a gym, pool, and exercise rooms. Many seniors swam in the pool and took up aerobics or yoga. After that, we went to West Berkeley center and North Berkeley Center by bus. At west Berkeley senior center, there is a computer room and a garden and so on. We met Josephine when we went to the garden. She works there. She has strong impression for me, because she is very friendly. She hugged each of us. I thought that her character encouraged seniors then. I’m going to be friendly like her when I talk with seniors to encourage them and talk pleasantly for them. I was interested in the room called “meals on wheals”. It’s a meal service for seniors who can’t go out side because of sick. They deliver to these seniors. I think it’s a good idea. I didn’t think about these seniors. It’s not only for seniors coming to senior center but also for seniors who can’t come there. I also like this name. Meals and wheals are rhymed. At north Berkeley senior center, I saw many seniors there. It has a big TV room, computer room, exercise room, library, and art room and so on. When I went to library, Italian class was held. Seniors learned Italian hard. We also went to art room. I talked with senior couple drawing nice picture. Hearing their life style, they seem to enjoy their life. We also went to Jewish culture center. Jewish means people believing in Judaism. There were no people then, but we heard that they don’t serve pork, because Jewish people don’t eat pork. I was very surprised.

            I thought that senior center was quiet and seniors are not energetic, but it was different. I saw many seniors enjoying yoga, aerobics learning drawing and so on. I have no image that senior center is pleasant place, but they have hobbies and they have many friends there and they really enjoy their life there. I will talk with them. I thought that I should prepare topic for them, because I want them to enjoy more. They live longer than me, so I want to know many things by them. It’s also the reason I thought so. hard to hear me. Although they are fine, they are old. I thought that I have to speak loudly, clearly and speak correct pronunciation for them. I’m looking forward to talking with many seniors. I want to be good speaker for them and I want to be good English speaker by talking with seniors in the future.