Family Story
I interviewed my father, Larry Zak, for information on my family history. My family has come a long way to get to where we are today. My Grandpa Zak sought political asylum at the young age of 19 in a successful attempt to escape communist rule in his home country of Poland and surrounding European countries. He eventually was able to make it to the United States after rough times on his way over and lived with his aunt in Chicago, Illinois. While in the city, he met my grandma and they had four children and eventually moved to St. John, Indiana. While attending high school at Lake Central, my parents met. Years later, my brother, Jake, and I were born.
Our family and close family friends have heard many stories of my dad and uncle’s childhood. Four boys living in a house leads to some very funny stories, but this is my favorite: one day my “uncle” Dale, my dad’s childhood and current good friend, rode his bike over to my grandparent’s house to hang out with my dad. My dad was on the second story and the window was open. Dale looked up to my dad lighting a Ted Nugent album on fire and throwing it out the window yelling something along the lines of, “death to rock!” During my dad’s childhood and teenage years he learned how to play the drums. He was in marching band at LC and after high school went to Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts to further his musical career. He doesn’t play live shows that much anymore because most people now choose to have dj’s at events instead of live music, but this story serves as a good explanation as to why my dad is such an avid fan of jazz.
My family has been lucky enough to be able to vacation a lot. Usually we visit family on vacation, but my family members live in some pretty cool places that lead us to have lots of fun. This summer my dad, his girlfriend, my brother, and I visited my Aunt Beth and Uncle Mike in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The first thing we did was go to an amusement park called Kennywood. We rode a bunch of amazing rides and my favorite was called The Phantom’s Revenge. Next, we went to the Strip District, which is an area in downtown Pittsburgh full of amazing shops and restaurants. I got hot chocolate from a coffee shop that sells coffee beans from places all around the world and maple bacon doughnuts from a place called Peace, Love, and Little Doughnuts. The last thing we did on our trip was an activity called the Pedal Paddle. We left my aunt and uncle’s house at 6:30 AM and drove two hours to Ohiopyle State Park. We biked nine miles upstream of the Youghiogheny River then rafted all the way back downstream. Overall, the vacation was very fun and I was glad I got to spend time with my family.
When I interviewed my dad he answered the question of, “What is your best advice to me about life?’ with: “Enjoy every second, you don’t know when it can be taken away.” That’s pretty relevant considering the fact my mother’s death was a surprise and I didn’t appreciate her as much as I should have when she was alive. He also answered the question, “ What is the most important thing you have learned from living your life?” with: “Hard work truly does pay off!” I also think that is great advice. I know he has worked hard in his live to achieve what he wanted and I will try to do the same in my own life.
My family member I interviewed was my dad. He means so much to be because he has supported me through everything. My dad and I share the same sense of humor so we’re always laughing and having fun together. What I most admire about my dad is how he has worked hard to support my brother and me. I’m very thankful for him.
I interviewed my father, Larry Zak, for information on my family history. My family has come a long way to get to where we are today. My Grandpa Zak sought political asylum at the young age of 19 in a successful attempt to escape communist rule in his home country of Poland and surrounding European countries. He eventually was able to make it to the United States after rough times on his way over and lived with his aunt in Chicago, Illinois. While in the city, he met my grandma and they had four children and eventually moved to St. John, Indiana. While attending high school at Lake Central, my parents met. Years later, my brother, Jake, and I were born.
Our family and close family friends have heard many stories of my dad and uncle’s childhood. Four boys living in a house leads to some very funny stories, but this is my favorite: one day my “uncle” Dale, my dad’s childhood and current good friend, rode his bike over to my grandparent’s house to hang out with my dad. My dad was on the second story and the window was open. Dale looked up to my dad lighting a Ted Nugent album on fire and throwing it out the window yelling something along the lines of, “death to rock!” During my dad’s childhood and teenage years he learned how to play the drums. He was in marching band at LC and after high school went to Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts to further his musical career. He doesn’t play live shows that much anymore because most people now choose to have dj’s at events instead of live music, but this story serves as a good explanation as to why my dad is such an avid fan of jazz.
My family has been lucky enough to be able to vacation a lot. Usually we visit family on vacation, but my family members live in some pretty cool places that lead us to have lots of fun. This summer my dad, his girlfriend, my brother, and I visited my Aunt Beth and Uncle Mike in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The first thing we did was go to an amusement park called Kennywood. We rode a bunch of amazing rides and my favorite was called The Phantom’s Revenge. Next, we went to the Strip District, which is an area in downtown Pittsburgh full of amazing shops and restaurants. I got hot chocolate from a coffee shop that sells coffee beans from places all around the world and maple bacon doughnuts from a place called Peace, Love, and Little Doughnuts. The last thing we did on our trip was an activity called the Pedal Paddle. We left my aunt and uncle’s house at 6:30 AM and drove two hours to Ohiopyle State Park. We biked nine miles upstream of the Youghiogheny River then rafted all the way back downstream. Overall, the vacation was very fun and I was glad I got to spend time with my family.
When I interviewed my dad he answered the question of, “What is your best advice to me about life?’ with: “Enjoy every second, you don’t know when it can be taken away.” That’s pretty relevant considering the fact my mother’s death was a surprise and I didn’t appreciate her as much as I should have when she was alive. He also answered the question, “ What is the most important thing you have learned from living your life?” with: “Hard work truly does pay off!” I also think that is great advice. I know he has worked hard in his live to achieve what he wanted and I will try to do the same in my own life.
My family member I interviewed was my dad. He means so much to be because he has supported me through everything. My dad and I share the same sense of humor so we’re always laughing and having fun together. What I most admire about my dad is how he has worked hard to support my brother and me. I’m very thankful for him.