Example research essay topic: Playing Video Games Made Me Feel - 1,281 words

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The sun sets at about quarter to six. Kids begin to come out of their houses like bats come out of their caves, ready to start playing something, anything that would come to mind. This is how my barrio was when I was growing up. I have lived in Juarez all my life and the only recall of a barrio I have is just before coming here to live in El Paso. After coming to El Paso at about the age of twelve, I have never experienced that same feeling of closeness my barrio made me feel. Coming home from school at about two in the afternoon, I would be very hungry.

My mom, prepared for this, would fix me tasty meals that would appease my appetite. The first thing I did when I came from school was to take my uniform off, then I got into some comfortable clothes and ran out to the kitchen. There my mom would have five empty soda bottles ready for me to go to the corner store and exchange them for new ones. After eating, my mom cleaned the table in order for me to do my homework. The time went by fast and as soon as the clock turned to 5: 30 p.

m. , I would ask my mom for permission to go out and play. At about six in the afternoon the streets would start to fill with young kids that were eager to start playing. Most of the time we played soccer, but on other occasions, we played games like hide and seek. This game of hide and seek was very fun because it was played among fifteen kids who all had a fantastic capacity to hide. In addition, the game took place in the whole neighborhood, so it was difficult being the one to look. Kids would hide up in trees, under cars and in places where it was very difficult being caught.

What made the game harder was that we played in the night when it was dark, so it would present a better challenge to the "fortunate" person who had to look. Among other games, we also played wars. It was excellent but it had to be played in the daytime. The purpose of this game was to shoot down the opposing team, usually even in number, with a low-cost weapon invented by us. The materials employed consisted of a plastic milk carton, usually from the gallon size, a rubber band, and scissors.

First, we cut out the plastic tip of the milk gallon, the end where you pour out the milk from. After this, we would take a rubber band and half of a balloon and tie it to the end of the cut out piece of carton. This would create a sort of slingshot that was cheap and easy to do. The ammunition consisted of the fruits produced by Lila trees that are very common in Juarez.

This marble-size fruit is very similar to a ripe olive but it is not edible. They are great for bullets because when shot right, because they can travel fast and great distances. To start the game we first had to decide on captains -- unfortunately this was never me -- the captains then took turns choosing team members. Each member then gathered ammunition from the nearby Lila trees in our neighborhood. When the game started, a massive battle went on and a team won by either two ways.

One way was for one of the teams to give up and the other way was for a team to run out of ammunition. Of course, this was a daytime game only. The rest of the time we played one other thing, soccer. I was brought up with the sport of soccer. My family and friends were also brought up with this popular sport. In Mexico, as well as in Latin America, Europe, and Asia, soccer is the number one sport.

Soccer is very popular because it is very simple. In order to play we just needed four rocks and a ball. We set up the goals with two rocks on each side of the street, divided the teams, and began. We played on the street and we did not worry about cars. As soon as we saw one drawing near, we would yell "car" and everyone would then move to the sides. This would also serve as a breather because soccer is an intensive sport.

Nevertheless, a typical wise guy would always yell "car" and we would all move to the sides. As we realized that no car was coming we would all get him and started slapping him on the head. I played with my friends until nine in the night because that is when my father came home from work. At about eight when all the soaps were over and just before our fathers came from work, our moms started to come outside.

They would water the lawn, either wash the cars, or sweep the sidewalks. Of course, this was only for a short time. When they were finished they would all gather outside and start talking about their days and the latest news going on. They would also keep an eye on us to be alert if something bad happened. I do not remember ever getting into a fight or trouble with my friends. They were somehow like my older brothers since I was the youngest one.

Time changes, and as it goes by, things change. By the time I was twelve, my parents decided to move to El Paso so my sister and I could attend school here. Since that time, I have never experienced the same feeling of a barrio. People in my barrio also started to move out and although I came back every day to visit them, it was never the same. Society has changed drastically over the years; it has become very violent.

Kids today are also different; they are much tied into either video games or gangs. In my neighborhood, you do not see kids playing outside anymore. Now they spend time in someone's house playing video games. Life is ironic because when I was younger, I remember my dad telling me how we did not know how to play games anymore and that the games we play did not even compare to the games he played. Now as I see my younger cousins stuck to the television playing video games all day I observe myself making the same comments my dad made to me. Just before coming here to study, I rarely heard a police siren in my neighborhood.

These days things like that are very common. Teenagers now find writing on other property a hobby as when I was younger graffiti was not even heard of. I know it sounds peculiar saying "younger" when I am barely eighteen, but society has changed significantly. Sometimes I wish that things were back the way they were. Despite everything, I am grateful that my parents decided to come to the United States in order for my sister and me to study.

I understand that it must have been difficult for them, but thanks to the sacrifice, I would not be here where I am today. Now the only feeling of a barrio I get is when I embark upon remembering the admirable times I had there. I do not think I will ever experience that same feeling of closeness my barrio made me feel. Perhaps in the future, when I get married and have kids, I will get to experience that same feeling but from a father point of view. Bibliography:

Research essay sample on Playing Video Games Made Me Feel