By Jacob Kim, age 9
My name is Jacob, and I live in South Korea. I used to live in Seoul, where there are skyscrapers and a lot of people. But in 2022, I moved to Jeju Island. Jeju is such a cool place, with beautiful oceans and many beaches. I love it here.
I have a mom, a dad and a little brother who’s 7. I like my brother, but sometimes he pinches me. We don’t have any pets, but my mom said I can have a hamster at my next, next birthday. I hope we get a very fluffy one. I also have infinite friends here, more than I had in Seoul! My best friend is Min-jae because he makes me laugh so hard! But some kids aren’t so nice to me, and it makes me feel furious.
My hobbies are basketball and soccer, because I can shoot the ball into the hoop or
the net and it’s so fun! One day I want to be a soccer player in America. I went to
America once, and it made me feel terrific. I saw the Golden Gate Bridge, the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. Seeing those places made me feel like I can do and be anything. But then I had to go home, and the feeling went away.
Sometimes my mom buys me dumplings. I feel so happy when I see the dumplings get big and fluffy in the microwave. But my mom says I can only eat them sometimes, because it’s not healthy to eat them every day, which is sad.
Sometimes my life has some good things, and sometimes bad things. It always depends; it’s never the same. But I heard that’s normal, and everyone feels that way. So, I’m just learning to love the life I have.
