Magazine dossier

A journey to the past

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Ingles II - 518007_85

Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia

Speaks up about his most memorable life experiences

Ricardo Romero

milestones

Medellín. September 14, 2024

hungeragitationanger

born on a friday afternoon on January 15, 1999 at 2 pm. My mom told me I cried a lot, maybe because I felt scared of the new world and wanted to be back into my mom’s belly, and also I was very hungry. I did not let my mom go to sleep that day as I spent the whole day agitated and angry.

his was my first achievement ever. I was

Feelings?

When it all started

My Birth

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The weekend is coming!

The holy week craft

happinessexcitementproudnessimpression

Feelings?

t was my last period in kindergarten, we were all

so happy and excited for the weekend (and we were just kids!) and we had to do a craft on our own about the crucifixion of Jesus as it was the holy week. So, I created a very nice drawing of the scene and I put clay onto it and it looked so creative, I was so excited to show it to my teacher. When she saw it she was so proud that she went and showed it to her colleague who was so impressed.

- "Romero Guerrero, Ricardo José"!

- "Romero Guerrero, Ricardo José!"

My first graduation

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confidencejoyfulnessdelightnesshopefulness

Feelings?

fter the crucifixion of Jesus drawing, I felt really

confident and it encouraged me to try my best in each activity and presentation in kindergarten. I enjoyed my last period so much that I even learned how to read. After that, I finally had my very first graduation. I remember everything and how my teacher called me to receive my certificate. I was delighted, I felt smart and optimistic about my academic future.

- "Riki, it's time!"

Day #1 at school

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joyfulnessanxiety enthusiasmexcitement

Feelings?

fter my first graduation, I had a well deserved

vacation at my aunt's in another city. I spent that time so determined to be the best in school and I practiced my reading and writing so much with her. Also, I played a lot with friends there and it was so joyful to be away from home. I remember my dad opening the door and saying “Riki, it’s time”, and I was woken up already, so anxious and enthusiastic. My clothes, shoes, and my backpack… everything was ready and waiting for me to get ready for school and the excitement was… unforgivable.

Only on my mind

School graduation

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proudnessoverjoysadness

Feelings?

graduations? Unbelievable! That was what I innocently

thought. My time at school was full of new discoveries, friends that I still keep, and knowledge. When the time arrived, I remember receiving a badge for being an excellent student, my family was proud, I was so overjoyed and what makes me sad is that I do not keep pictures of this moment, it is only on my mind.

At least we got the best stand

The-blue-team team leader

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impressionproudnessenergeticnesssupportivenessdetermination

Feelings?

grew up in a christian and catholic family, both mixed.

Our christian church used to have some summer camps and as I was so outstanding in everything I did, I got the chance to be one of the leaders for the blue team. I remember doing badges, a huge banner with our versicle on it, some bandannas and more blue staff for the team. When I arrived I decorated our stand with everything I did and the other groups were so impressed. The pastor was proud of the job we did that we got a prize for the best stand. We all were so energetic and supportive of each other in all the activities. Also, we felt determined to win the games, but sadly, we did not.

- "this-has-to-be-the-best-speech-ever speech!"

The podium

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nervesoverwhelmed-nessnostalgiabraveness happiness

Feelings?

had become the best student of my promotion in

high school. So the principal asked me to prepare a speech for graduation. I felt so nervous and overwhelmed as there were hundreds of us and I had to stay on a podium to give my words and receive my honor diploma. My friends had so high expectations of me that it made me feel worse. So, I pulled myself together and started to work on my this-has-to-be-the-best-speech-ever speech and I think I did an amazing job. Some friends cried, including me. I felt very nervous, but brave and happy after all.

last minute worldwide news!

Venezuela in Blackout

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he unforgivable and terrifying day of March

07, 2019. It was just a normal morning at home. Suddenly, the power went off, again. Feelings? Frustration and anger. I spent the worst nights of my life with no power at all, and we were not the only ones as there were almost 20 states in the same situation. How did it last? 3 days! We were so much worried and scared that when the power finally came back, we felt even worse as we had no idea what was going to happen then.

frustrationangerworry scariness

Feelings?

Priceless!

Anything is possible! (at last!)

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dissapoint-mentannoymenthappinessoverjoy

Feelings?

felt really annoyed and disappointed due to different

experiences back in Venezuela. My dreams fell apart and the crisis really hit us hard. I remember always wanting to learn English. Speaking another language was something really hard to achieve, let alone expensive. So, as I had no money, I had to use the resources I got to learn some English. I remember stealing my uncle’s wifi password to be able to download some lessons from Youtube and I spent almost 2 years studying the language on my own. Then, I got the chance to sign up for a real academy and I was put on level B2. I only spent 4 months there and finally graduated! I was the happiest and the most overjoyed 22-year-old guy on the planet. I finally achieved something huge for me in my own country, priceless!

My favorite time of the year

New year in Guatapé

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023 was definitely a very challenging year. They say

life is a roller coaster, but how steep it was! After all, the end of the year was so wonderful to me, I bettered myself and I wanted to do something nice for new year’s day as it was going to be my first christmas away from home, and alone. I ended up reaching out to a cousin that I did not get the chance to know before and she invited me to go with her, her parents and her boyfriend to Guatapé for new year’s day. I woke up that day feeling so anxious, excited and positive. It was a great experience and the dinner we had was delicious. What an optimistic new year beginning!

anxietyexcitementoptimism

Feelings?

Ingles II - 518007_85

Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia

direction: Ricardo Romeroredaction & edition: Ricardo Romerophotography: Ricardo Romero

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