I remember day after day going to swimming lessons in the summer of 2002 at the Mount Vernon pool. Almost every day I walked by the ladder that seemed to go on forever. I used to sit on the pools edge and watch the older kids do flips and other cool tricks off of the high dive. Many times I had gotten half way up the ladder but couldn't bring myself to go all the way up. For a seven year old going off the high dive was like a right of passage and a way to be seen as "cool" in the eyes of the older kids. Today I will be telling you about the first time a braved the high dive.…
There’s no other place in the world where I feel the most at home than being at Long Beach Island. There you can smell the fresh, salty air of the ocean as the warm breeze brushes across your face. It is a place where the sand, sometimes chilled by the water or boiling hot up in the sand dunes, fiddles its way through your toes one by one sending chills down your spine with every step. Off in the distance you can hear the chiming of bells as the ice cream men call children of all ages to cool themselves off with a frozen treat. This is the place that all summer long, I am lucky to call home.…
As you all vividly remember, the Jersey Shore took a pounding during Hurricane Sandy. The winds, flooding, and whipping sand plummet the shoreline and communities forever changing the landscape.…
Bethany Hamilton was 13 year old amateur surfers. She had the determination of being a pro surfer. Then one day Bethany was attacked by a tiger shark causing her to lose her arm. She was rushed to the hospital where they stopped the bleeding. She had to learn everything with only one arm. Bethany is resilient because she is determind, confident, and she not going to let nobody or anything stop her.…
Everyone has their own community or organization for which they belong to. Within that community you tend to find who you are and what you are about. For me I found my identity in being an outdoors man. Being an outdoors man at my young age seems to be rare at this day, but that doesn’t prevent me from doing something I love and appreciate. Growing up with my family full of avid outdoors men helped influence me and only made my identity stronger.…
I've never been an "outdoors" experience kind of person. Maybe, it's because I'm very sedentary and prefer to stay inside to read and enjoy tranquility. I avoid all types of chaos and crowded places. Nevertheless, my visit to the Camuy River Cave Park (back in 2004) was refreshing and enriching in knowledge, historically, scientifically and spiritually. That experience brought the best out of me, as a human being and a nature lover, by giving the chance of experiencing a whole new level of peace and tranquility.…
Escapade. Trying new things seems to be the theme of the summer so far. I began with a hike up to the top of mount Charleston, about 20 miles in length. While it was difficult, and we became lost at points, we made it to the top. I have also began taking summer classes at a duel credit high school/ college, which is something that I have never done before. In addition, I have begun driving, which gives me more freedom to go anywhere that I please. One of the last new things that I will try is dying my hair a strange color for a few weeks. For these reasons, I am having the summer of…
I always keep this poem and picture in my wallet. I take it everywhere with me because it means quite a lot to me in two very different ways. One of those ways is because it holds sentimental value. When I was younger I learned to read very late in life and I was always so embarrassed of that. My father knew that I was struggling and bought me the book, Where the Sidewalk Ends. It is a book full of poems and little pictures written by Shel Silverstein. I remember opening the book to ta random page, and it was the page with this poem. I then remember my dad asking me to read it to him. I was so uncomfortable, even thought I was just going to be reading to my dad. He gave me some words of encouragement, and even thought I was not able to read…
It was game day the field was rough and dry the goals were painted yellow, the burning hot sun was shining off our helmets. The team practiced so hard for this game it was the game that everyone wanted to see. It was only five bucks to get in. the coaches called all the players out on the intercom for the pre game meal, we were having some watermelon and some chicken and a potato it was very good. The chicken was the best. we started warming up when coach had called us down to the field. We had went over some offense and defense. When defense had went out on the field, we had worked on some pass blocks and some blitz plays. In my opinion pass block was my favorite. Everyone's pads was tied tight, cleats were wrapped with white tape, chin straps…
We started our tetris trip to Florida in a suburban for 12 hours scrunch up in a ball trying to sleep the whole way down but you know how that goes you never get to sleep the whole way down. I usually play my phone games or play music,if I have internet. We finally get out of Kentucky and in Tennessee to stop to get some gas and use the bathroom,but if you're ever on a trip and you go in to use the bathroom and you see all those snacks so you want to buy one because you're hungry. We are now in Alabama which is the longest state we go through. Were about an hour away from the condo and we stopped to get gas and a snack at thorntons. We made it we yelled rolled down the window and jammed yelawolf as we went over the bridge.…
Today was the day. The big day. My election for Lieutenant Governor of Division 2B for Key Club, an international service club, was today. Fear and anxiety pricked my skin in rapid movements emanating from every pore. I rehearsed my speech for the fifth time that day. Upon arrival at the Fairfax Library, I urged myself to remain calm. I quickly scouted out the other girls who were present; one girl was dressed professionally with a folder in her hand. I knew that was my competition. The girl spoke eloquently and genially, she radiated enthusiasm and a certain warmth that I did not have. With every question that was asked, she answered with a smooth smile and high-pitched tone that was dripping with sincerity. I bristled inside; I had just been slapped. I was shrouded in a cloud of anxiety and anxiousness. Suddenly, I was dragged from my reverie.…
The trail out back the beauty of nature and the smell of the fresh air. The leaves they’re falling all around you. As you walk the trail leads you to a big waterfall that not many people know about. As you just sit on the rock and watch the leaves fall while the sun sets it’s the most beautiful thing you could ever see. Listening to the birds make their music while lying on the rock besides the water. It’s calm and relaxing; However it can get a bit chilly. Sometimes if you take the four wheeler or dirt bike out back Zoey will run along side of you. Zoey is our dog she runs just as fast as the four wheeler does. Then I imagine of being a little girl again going out back with my dad. We used to catch salamanders on our way to where we were going.…
The cross between my faith and the collegiate goals I want to carry out at Palm Beach Atlantic is to believe in Christ purpose without hesitation. Being hardworking within my education, and, in my religion because opportunities arise when you add a great work ethic to the ability to serve Christ.…
Five years ago we were crazy about each other. Now I stand, I stand here and watch the silent tides pull her thick, red blood into the wide and black ocean under the bright moon. I can feel the wide gap mischievously release a dark red substance down my right arm. Drip, drip, drip. The sound of it drowned out the police sirens and cop screaming in my aching ear.…
I woke up in a peaceful mood today, and I couldn't figure out why. Maybe it's because of the dream I had last night, the animals that are playing by the water nearby, or the fact that it stopped raining today, but I haven't felt like this sense christmas eve. I walk into the living room to see Khufu and Sadie on the couch. Khufu was just watching basketball and eating cheerios as usual while Sadie was concentrating on something. I try to say good morning to her but she just ignored me.…