Steven Quintin

Gaylene Croker

English Composition

5/7/2013

The Three Influences In My Life

　

      While crossing the street to catch the school bus was a women behind me holding a sausage rolled up in a piece of toast. “You still have time to eat breakfast” she would say. She wore this pink robe with a tie in the front. Her shoulder length hair parted in the middle and she had these huge round oval glasses that made her blue eyes stand out even more. My mom was always concerned about how warm I was or if I was hungry. She would try to help me with my homework even when she didn’t quite understand. My mom came from a time when old fashion values were practiced and family was important. She new the things that embarrassed me and would try to respect that by saying, “I love you” before I reached my friends. How I wish she was here so I could yell how much I love her. Her ways are instilled in me and I feel blessed to have had a mother like her. I treat my children the same way. My father was a great parent also but it was my mother who molded my sister and I. She s been gone for eighteen years and she is still part of my everyday life.

      Josie stands at a comfortable 5’3”. Her light green eyes and full smile has always complimented her. Even in the morning, her auburn colored hair doesn’t seem to get out of place. She always looks good. Josie would tell you otherwise. My wife is a strong woman who at times doesn’t know her own strength. I mean she can be a little outspoken at times with the best intentions of course. I’m usually the mild manner one except when I need to be heard. We compliment each other because of our opposite personalities. I feel that we have both changed a little over the last 25 years. If it wasn’t for my wife, my motivation to succeed in life would have possibly stopped by now. She has hung in there when times have been rough. Because of Josie, I keep going. I think anything I have accomplished, whether it was for a career change at the time or something on a personal level, she was there even when she was not aware of it.

      Ant was a person I knew before we became good friends. He was this “cool cat” that stood out on stage when he was performing during events. His reputation was huge in the entertainment industry. This humble African American man would do amazing things that would catch the attention of everyone who was someone in the business. I got the privilege of knowing this man and his family on a personal level. I have performed for Anthony on many occasions. He taught me how the professional side of the industry works and gave me the confidence to move forward with a direction. He said to always stay humble and to never get to high on yourself. Although I thought I wanted to pursue a career in performance, I discovered something. I enjoy teaching children and young adults.

　

Kids need positive role models. They need cool activities to be involved with. My students do not have to be dancers or even interested in pursuing performance. If they gain the confidence and self esteem to be able to do the things they always wanted to try, then that’s good enough for me. Being on stage is great, but giving a child self confidence is a reward within itself.

Something Fun For Everyone

City parks and recreations are a great resource when exploring a variety of activities to do within the local communities. Most community centers offer a wide selection of classes ranging from water sports to first aid. Whether you are interested in a particular activity or possible open to trying new things, your local community park and recreation centers are a great resource.

Most instructors are local and teach their profession at other facilities, mostly in a classroom settings or a studio. Some are coaches that teach outdoor sports like football and soccer. Some examples of the courses offered are adaptive programs like skiing and water training to develop strength. There are many arts and craft classes like painting or learning Japanese writing . Kids of all ages can go to camps to learn about nature and survival skills. A variety of water sports are always fun. For the adults, there are lots of health classes ranging from first aid to exercise. Martial arts and dance classes are also available. For new moms and their newborn baby, there are classes that help mothers get back into shape while having fun. Aerobics classes are offered in beginning, intermediate, and advance levels. For the elderly, there are all types of activities that are specifically catered to their needs.

The benefits of taking classes with local community parks and recreation centers are that they offer so much for a fraction of the cost you would pay at another facility. If you would like to study karate or possibly a ballroom dance class, you would have to pay triple the cost with a monthly contract. Some courses require some financial investment like uniforms and costumes which can be expensive if you’re not committed to the course. The parks and recreation give you the opportunity to try something that you may or may not be interested in. The instructors are qualified teachers that teach the same courses as they do at their other facility, it’s just a lot cheaper.

So if you’re interested in a particular activity or hobby, try looking at one of your local city guides or community catalogs. Most cities have them available at the city human resources office or the park and recreation community centers. Most of the communities mail the catalogs to the local residents. There are internet cites with information for these classes and most cites have a local T.V. station that makes periodic announcements that informs the local residence of all the community news. Check it out, there’s something for everyone!

student interview

Steven Quintin

Gaylene Croker

English Composition

2/26/13

Today was an interesting assignment because I got a chance to get to know someone on a personal level. This person opened up about his personal life which is something I can appreciate. I feel talking about your life can be very personal and it isn’t easy to open up and expose yourself to a complete stranger.

David Renteria is a student here. He was born in Santa Barbara. He lived there for a few years before he and his family moved to Oxnard. After a year, he and his family settled down in Port Hueneme. David spent most of his elementary years attending school in the Oxnard School District. Some of the schools he attended were Park View Elementary, E.O. Green Elementary, and Hueneme High School. It wasn’t an easy transition for David to live here in Port Hueneme. David developed a rebellious way about him. He often took his frustrations out through confrontational situations with other students. David said he would often get into fights that would result in him getting detention or transferred to another school. While in high school, David dropped out because of the issues he was going through. It was becoming too difficult trying to focus on classes when he was under a lot of pressures and having to adapt to different schools all the time. Some of the people that he hung out with may have contributed to these altercations. He eventually ended up finishing high school through independent education .

After finishing high school, David made decisions that would change his life. He didn’t want to end up like some of his friends who made bad decisions that eventually resulted in doing jail time or putting their lives in danger. David discovered many interest that he was passionate about. Surfing and skateboarding is something that he really loved to do. He still does. It kept him busy and focused towards a positive lifestyle. It felt normal, a kind of freedom that gave him a sense of stress release.

David also studied boxing, here in Oxnard and trains on a regular basis. Al, who is his trainer is someone who David looks up to. He’s very passionate about boxing. It helps him stay mentally focused when he is shadow boxing and says his training with Al also promotes his physical health and stamina. He still does these things when he has the time. .

As a young adult, David presently works part time at Cosco. He puts in about thirty five hours a week and attends school full time here at Oxnard College. David says his brother Erik is someone who motivates him. Erik always told David to study hard in school to succeed in life. He would always say, ”Make something of yourself.” When asking David about his studies here at Oxnard College, he said he was surprised that he was even attending school because of his struggles growing up. He enjoys the close commute, which is convenient for him. It allows David to keep his current job while going to school locally. Saving money on classes is also cheaper than attending classes at a university. He plans on transferring to a university after he receives his Associates of Science degree in Radiology. David wants to be an x-ray technician. Once he gets his degree, he plans to move to New York where he will continue his career. Having a family isn’t something that David has thought about yet. He just wants to establish his career first.

David’s motto is,” It doesn’t matter who you are, you can do it.” Well, I also believe that is true no matter what your background is or where you came from, you can be whatever you choose in life. You just have to want it bad enough and work hard . David has had many opportunities to choose from in life that could have easily ended up with negative consequences.

When talking with David, my first impression was that he had a normal upbringing without any type of hardship or troublesome childhood. David is a very outgoing person and positive about what he is doing right now. He definitely knows what he wants out of life. Being a positive role model towards his younger siblings and other friends is important to him. I believe he will be successful in his field of study and a positive role model for those who associate with him.

In conclusion, I thought this interview was a good experience. Not only did I get a chance to get to know David on a personal level about his past, present, and future plans but it gave me an insight on how people in general are easy to get along with when it comes to trusting someone. Here we are in a classroom doing a assignment that became a kind of psychological experience for both parties being interviewed. People aren’t that different from each other. We may have experiences that we may have encountered in the past that influences our decisions in life but most of us can relate to each other on a certain level with a respectable understanding.

　

　

Past,present,future

Greetings! My name is Steven Quintin, I am originally from Rota, Spain. I arrived here  in the United States, back in 1964. My father was in the U.S. Navy at the time. I traveled a lot as a young child, mostly back east when my father was in Vietnam. My mother, sister and I lived in military housing most of the time. In 1966, my family settled down here in Ventura County where I have lived ever since.

I attended Channel Islands High School in the late 70s’. I graduated in 1981. After high school, I studied many programs over the course of time, attending local tech schools. Some previous occupations I have done ranged from respiratory therapy to real estate. I also studied stage performance/dance while attending school. This was more of a hobby that eventually brought in a little extra income.

I am married with three children and one grand child. I currently work for a retail store as an asset protection specialist. I am also a part time dance instructor. I teach several times during the week to supplement my income. Because of economic cut backs, I recently returned back to school after twenty-five years to finish my degree in environmental science.

I plan to enhance my opportunities by earning my associates degree in coastal environmental studies. My plans are to transfer to a four year university where I can obtain my Bachelors degree in Environmental Science. I hope to enter the field of water treatment or possibly environmental engineering.