Most of my life has been filled with “if only.” There were so many, i mean so many opportunities, that i gave up on for whatever reason because it sure don’t matter now. I remember one moment a moment that I’m sure if i had the chance to change would do it in a heartbeat. It was something that i look back on even right now I know that it should have changed my situation that i am in right now. It was the summer of my senior year and as always with the football program the hold a summer camp and hope that the players for that high school will turn out to better themselves and also better the team. Now don’t get me wrong here i really wanted to go I was begging something i rarely do to go but certain things came up during that time in which I had no control over. So when all that was done and the mandatory practices came into being I was there and the first thing we did was timed sprints which doesn’t sound so bad but for someone who hasn’t ran in almost 2 whole months is scary. When it came my turn I had no choice but to put all effort, which was bad in my case, into the sprint. When I was done i nearly blacked out which to my coaches really wasn’t something they looked kindly upon. I had to sit out the rest of practice that day and I really hated the fact that I had to which could put anyone in a position that they wont be playing during that season. When the season did start I saw that I didn’t get that much playing time which I knew why but I knew i was better than most of the guys on the squad and I was just biting time when they would call my number and it never came. So now when i look at where i am right now and then try to put together where I could have been if I had gone to the summer camp I almost kill myself for that not happening.
A SCENT OF HISTORY
Pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, apple pie, and all sorts of goodies. I could have gone on with that list but I’m pretty sure that you already know where I’m going with this one. The smell these foods give off are ones that could have anyone young or old remember something from their past good or bad. I remember one moment during one of my thanksgivings back during my high school days. I was part of the basketball team that season and as ever other high school team there is that one practice on the day of thanksgiving for about a few hours. I knew about the practice and I knew also that eating too much is not good when your going to workout in less than 2 hours which is not enough time for the food to digest. I had eaten a lot that day and it wasn’t until I got to the school did I realize I was about to put myself in a very tough position. I remember coach saying that we were going to do some running first to get rid of all the thanksgiving food some of us had eaten. I ran and I ran and I ran until the point where my body told me, hey enough is enough and it just stop going. I was at a point where i could have passed out if I didn’t keep myself awake. During that time I was out in the hallway trying to catch my breath one of my teammates sister who was there saw me there and asked if i was OK and i said i was. While i was there i had the thought of just sitting out the rest of practice but lady i was talking to reminded me that i had to prove not only to myself but to my teammates that I’m dedicated to this team as much or Even more than they are. So since then during every thanksgiving I’m reminded of that moment in my life where I learned to push myself for a greater good.
MY TRAVELING PERSEPCTIVE
It was our first of many family trips but this one was pretty special to me because it would be the first time we went to go see my aunt/uncle and my cousins. I remember not being able to sleep that night and just watching TV to past time until we left because i was filled with so much excitement. We were on our to Georgia a place at that time in my life didn’t think existed or just thought it was just a bunch of country and nothing else. I had planned to stay wake during most of the trip so I could grasp some of the scenery that was out there it being my first trip outside if Texas. Unfortunately that plan subsided when i suddenly fell asleep within 15 minutes of us leaving the house. When I did wake up we were just about to start driving on the bridge that lays across the Mississippi River. It was about 8am and the sun was just beginning to rise and you could see the most beautiful sunrise i have probably seen my whole life. Just seeing the sun’s reflection across the river was surreal for me and something i wish to see again someday. When we made a pit stop somewhere outside of Atlanta i remember getting out of the car having dead leg from sitting for too long and the scent that went into my nose was something I don’t think i can describe. When we finally got to out destination I was so excited in seeing my family that anything else was unimportant.
A DEFINING MOMENT
My defining moment or better yet the one moment that changed my life happened about 6 years ago in 2003. I had just finished my elementarty school year which was at a private Christian institution. I had already invisioned me at the high school/junior high where most of my friends and especially this one girl i liked would be. Before any of this could happen my parents decided to throw a curve ball at me and drop the biggest announcement I believed of the whole year. And what was that announcement… well it was that we were moving and the biggest shocker was that i would not be going to the school i wanted to go to but to a public school. I wasn’t so much worried about the moving to the house since it was pretty close to the school I wanted go to but over the fact that this would be my first time attending public schooling. Growing up I always had this idea that public school kids were pretty much below kids that went to private schools and it wasn’t until I went that my perception changed. I didn’t want to make this change but what chioce did i really have. I guess it was time for something new but i really wasn’t ready. I knew no one and most of the other kids coming had friends they were coming with to this junior high. I personally am not the social type i tend to try and get to know who people are by listening to them talk to others than me actually talking myself. This moment in my life i look back at it often and try n determine what would have happened if i didnt attend public school and stayed in private school and if everything that has happened in my life until right now would it all be the same and while i’m thinking that i remmeber all the things that have happened and know i would want to change anything so far.
MY GREATEST INFLUENCE
I personally cant say that just one person influenced my life. Growing up many people have come and gone in my life that i have met. Each of them having thier own ‘swagger’ per say or just something about them that is interesting that i catch on to real quick, good or bad, to copy. Each also leaving some lasting impression whether it was verbal or by their actions. Each and evey one of these people influenced the way i talk, the way i walk, how i dress, and almost everything i do today. I guess if I did have to choose just one person it would probably have to be my grandmother. My grandmother came to the U.S. in 1989 the same as yours turly was born. She from the very beginning took care of me since both my parents had to work. She stayed here for about twelve years and during those 12 years she came to understand the ins and outs of me more than my own parents or anyone else. She knew everything about me and i mean everything; what i like to eat, what made me mad/sad/happy and almost everything else. I remember one time i came home from school one day and I walked past the room she was staying and went straight to my room. A little while later she called me to her room and asked me if i was ok i said i was but really i wasnt and she knew. I can’t remember what she said after that but it was something that surprised me and made me look at her in a differnent way after that. I give her major credit from making me understand that i should always be. That whomever i try and follow or copy that at the end of the day when i look into the mirror i won’t see the person I’m mirroring but me and that i shouldn’t change to please anyone but myself.
