Essay: Forest BBQ On Forest Island

Origins don’t define who we are, but they make a large contribution to how we grow up. The people. The are. The vibe. All of these elements are brewed together in idealistic conditions to influence how you grow up. Out of all the places on this grand, celestial body of matter, my heart and soul was bred on Staten Island. Although this borough is not filled with the most attractions, including the Staten Island Ferry, when compared amongst the other four, it manages to breed the best kind of people. Classic, suburban American living brings about a tight knit community of peers who are connected in one way or another. We may live in the same neighborhood or have just sent a polite smile to the man waiting at the bus stop with you. Even if we do not meet each other physically, we all share the same kindness instilled into us from an early age. The same kindness that has been passed down from generations of Islanders like myself. My life and personality progressed on this Island as I grew older. A little house in the Westerleigh
Through exploring and meeting people all throughout the island, I’ve learned about different types of cuisine. The Forest BBQ on Forest Avenue introduced me to the splendid world of Portuguese- style barbeque. The owners and workers portray the kindness that all Islanders are brought up with. After collaborating with peers of numerous cultures, I’ve learned about their origins as well. We all derive from our own individual geneses and yet we have assimilated to the Staten Island way of life. This island makes us one unified organism. Where you originate from makes us who we are. The peers with whom we surround ourselves with, the environment in which we grow, and the atmosphere that surrounds us all are attributed to the formation of who we are meant to be. Staten Island made me who I am today and will continue to mold future