Scary Moment
All my life I have believed in spirits or "ghosts" due to the fact that I was raised in a religious environment. As Christians we believe in both Holy and evil spirits. Although I never feared evil spirits as a young child, as I grew older I became terrified. Not knowing at the time that that my grandparents shared their house with the supernatural, a chill ran down my spine every time I walked down the long dark hallway. I would dread walking to the bathroom at the end of the hall feeling and knowing there was indeed a presence. Guilt spilled over me like cold water from a shower head, dreading to go to my grandparents house, not because I didn't like them but because the lonesome spirits lounging about their bedrooms and bathrooms.We often visited my mother's parents because we are extremely close to them, having seen them everyday of our childhood. Just a two years ago I found out that their house was infested with ghosts and I wasn't just imagining it. Not helping my phobia with evil spirits, finding out that the house we basically lived at was haunted was one of the scariest moments of my life. My mom began to tell me the horrible experiences with the supernatural, as a young girl. It was at that moment that was most frightening to me when it all became so real. It wasn't my imagination from the scary, popcorn throwing movies or the late night slumber party's stories, but it was reality.Although I was extremely scared I begged for more stories. She began to go into great detail about how a man from the 1900's dressed in a suit along with a cane and a tall hat sitting on his head would came into her bedroom and stand there just breathing over her. From time to time the man would return but her parents never believed her. Sounding ridiculous, her parents just thought it was her imagination until they themselves experienced something unnatural. Almost every night my mom's bed would shake as if it was alive and having a seizure. One night it lasted so long and didn't stop when my mom called my grandma into her room to see for herself. She then believed my mom from that point on.Just last year we found out their home was built over an old Indian Cemetery. That explains why strange events kept occurring. My grandparents and mom along with her brother experienced many things in that house for decades. For some reason the spirits continued to scare my family. They were tired of it so decided to get the house baptized and see where things go from there. After it was baptized everything stopped happening, as if they weren't lost spirits wondering about anymore. Upon hearing the news that only my grandparents live in their house relief rushed down from head to toe.I'm' well aware things are now normal because I no longer have that chill run down my back, it is still creepy to think below my feet lies a burial, dozens of bodies buried within the cold dirt. To this day I'm horrified of ghost or an evil spirit of some sort. Especially with the movies that come out these days, it adds to my collection of fear. When I visit my grandparents now I don't necessarily tend to freak out apposed to before but an anxious not n my stomach tightens as I walk down that hallway
Monday, September 13, 2010
sad moment
When you look back on things, you think of the good, sad, and bad experiences. We tend to not like to think about the sad experiences because you hate being reminded of them. As a little kid, growning up, I had fun and sad moments in my life but yet who doesn't...
It was my 5th birthday, I was the happiest little kid on earth. I thought to myself " YAY, I'm 5 !" Everthing was going great, I had all my friends over for my birthday party.I had a powerpuff girl birthday party and I thought it was awesome ! But all that excitement would soon end and become the sadest moment in my life.
Ring Ring Ring , its the phone. My mom anwsers, iIdidn't think much of it until my mom starts to cry a river. I ask her whats wrong mom. I could see in her eyes, she was temped to tell me but she didn't want to ruin my birthday. But she did anyways, and proceeded to tell me , my grandma called say my grandpa past away from a heartattack. My heart suddenly just drop and everthing seemed to stop at that moment. My grandpa was my bestfriend in the world and now he was gone. I felt like I had nobody. Couple days later, I realized its not the end of the world and I will survive.
It was my 5th birthday, I was the happiest little kid on earth. I thought to myself " YAY, I'm 5 !" Everthing was going great, I had all my friends over for my birthday party.I had a powerpuff girl birthday party and I thought it was awesome ! But all that excitement would soon end and become the sadest moment in my life.
Ring Ring Ring , its the phone. My mom anwsers, iIdidn't think much of it until my mom starts to cry a river. I ask her whats wrong mom. I could see in her eyes, she was temped to tell me but she didn't want to ruin my birthday. But she did anyways, and proceeded to tell me , my grandma called say my grandpa past away from a heartattack. My heart suddenly just drop and everthing seemed to stop at that moment. My grandpa was my bestfriend in the world and now he was gone. I felt like I had nobody. Couple days later, I realized its not the end of the world and I will survive.
Operation Mickey
There I was, your average teenager with a chip on his shoulder the size of a small mountain, at the head of the Christmas parade in Disney Land, being cheered at by hundreds of random guests. The feeling of their applause wash over me and the glint of the light filling my every pore with the ecstasy that is the attention of others... What? You don't beleive me? Well, suit yourself, but I suppose this whole thing will become a little more clear if I give you a wider view of what happened.
Me and my family had gone to Disney Land in order to experience the so called "happiest place on earth" insofar that is could be called. So far it had only lived up to being one of the cleanest. Nothing have so much as a spec of dirt, even the garbage looked suprisingly clean for being what it was. We had meandered through the city sized chain of fun lands for everal days by this point and had attained a general sense of where we were.
Since it was christmas eve were went to the Disney Theme Park. After nearly 10 hours of wandering through the various lands, futureland and new orleans square were by far the best, we made our way to the main street for the parade. The floats that went by were illuminated by thousands of lights covering every square inch of the surface. Near the end a park worker came out to ask us tp cheer for Mickey's arival. Me being the snot nozed kid I was booed. I have a rather loud voice, due to playing the tuba for several years, and so it carried over the other's for the man to hear.
I was brought out as an example, so that the other could boo me like I booed Mickey. I waved and smiled back at their angry faces; it seems that they could turn rather viscious when their favorite mouse is insulted. Because of not being embarressed I was put onto the main float to be booed their as well, but by this point the people had lost interest and had gone back to cheering, and the worker had no opportunity to get me off the float. I was able to ride through the park alongside mickey being cheered by the crowed. Though at the end of the ride I ended up having to search for my parents for half an hour.
Me and my family had gone to Disney Land in order to experience the so called "happiest place on earth" insofar that is could be called. So far it had only lived up to being one of the cleanest. Nothing have so much as a spec of dirt, even the garbage looked suprisingly clean for being what it was. We had meandered through the city sized chain of fun lands for everal days by this point and had attained a general sense of where we were.
Since it was christmas eve were went to the Disney Theme Park. After nearly 10 hours of wandering through the various lands, futureland and new orleans square were by far the best, we made our way to the main street for the parade. The floats that went by were illuminated by thousands of lights covering every square inch of the surface. Near the end a park worker came out to ask us tp cheer for Mickey's arival. Me being the snot nozed kid I was booed. I have a rather loud voice, due to playing the tuba for several years, and so it carried over the other's for the man to hear.
I was brought out as an example, so that the other could boo me like I booed Mickey. I waved and smiled back at their angry faces; it seems that they could turn rather viscious when their favorite mouse is insulted. Because of not being embarressed I was put onto the main float to be booed their as well, but by this point the people had lost interest and had gone back to cheering, and the worker had no opportunity to get me off the float. I was able to ride through the park alongside mickey being cheered by the crowed. Though at the end of the ride I ended up having to search for my parents for half an hour.
Fireworks
When I was young, I created an indexical relationship with my father. Our relationship was different from any other relationships. There was some connection between us. We could understand each other no matter what the circumstances.
However, when i started transitioning into my teenage years, things started to change. Our "indexical" relationship started slowly deteriorating. Both of us knew that something was wrong, but we both failed to fix things. We constantly argued and barely had time for each other. Months flew past, and our tensions increased.
My mother, who was stuck in the middle of all this conflict, decided to take us on a family trip. She made me sit next to my dad. We remained silent until we got to our destination: Las Vegas. At the time, it was approaching 4th of July so there were many firework shows at night. From our hotel, we could see a spectacular show. ( My dad and I both loved, and still love, fireworks.) I decided to sneak out of the hotel room and went upstairs to watch some fireworks. I was alone for a while when i heard something creep up behind me. It was my dad. He came to see the show too. We silently watched the show for an hour, when suddenly my dad my dad put his arm around me. And he said the words that i will never forget, he said something that will be engraved into my heart forever. He said to me, "son, you know I love you right." And suddenly, I started to feel that indexical connection again. That deteriorating bond started to reverse itself. It was like all my emotions did not even matter anymore. My happiness consumed me, and I let it consume me.
I guess a bond can never be broken. A relationship, no matter what kind, can never be fully destroyed. Love is like a fireworks show. A spark goes up, and it make die down, but another spark goes up right after. The show never stops.
Frustrating Moment
Once you hear swear words fly through the air in an angry tone it is apparent that you are in an argument with another person. However, once you realize these foul words are said in Tagalog, you know you're in an argument with a Filipino parent. In situations like this I feel so angry to the point where I explode and take part in the argument. If you're Filipino then you know what happens when you shout at your parents. Yes... a butt whooping.
At the end of an argument I feel so heated to the point where i really forget why i was angry in the first place. It's the little things that usually bug me. They seem to just pile up on me until I just collapse and turn into this "Incredible Hulk" mode. Unfortunately for me, my dad is a "Bigger Hulk". At that moment I know I have already lost.
Sometimes I feel these temper tantrums are necessary because they help me realize that I need to just calm down and know my place in the family. Don't get me wrong, I love my parents, but sometimes they don't make sense. It's hard to agree with someone when they've lived a totally different life where you know their lifestyles aren't even on the same level for comparison. In the end I guess I have learned one lesson... butt whooping hurt, so I'm not going to argue anymore.
At the end of an argument I feel so heated to the point where i really forget why i was angry in the first place. It's the little things that usually bug me. They seem to just pile up on me until I just collapse and turn into this "Incredible Hulk" mode. Unfortunately for me, my dad is a "Bigger Hulk". At that moment I know I have already lost.
Sometimes I feel these temper tantrums are necessary because they help me realize that I need to just calm down and know my place in the family. Don't get me wrong, I love my parents, but sometimes they don't make sense. It's hard to agree with someone when they've lived a totally different life where you know their lifestyles aren't even on the same level for comparison. In the end I guess I have learned one lesson... butt whooping hurt, so I'm not going to argue anymore.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Next Time
I dragged myself up the stairs with my laptop and my book bag in my right hand and an abetting, collosal cup of coffee in my left hand. As I subconciously stepped into my 85 degree room, I dumped my things on my bed - except my coffee of course - and placed my coffee on my cherry oak desk, which was waiting for me to sit at it and only get up from it at 7:00 AM to get ready for school.
Piles and piles of books, binders, and notebooks laid on the desk as tall as the Eiffel Tower. I disdainfully stared at the desk with a menacing look, knowing that I would not, could not, leave it for the next six hours. I plugged in a huge, round, gray fan, which sat on the floor behind my chair because there was no room in either side of my desk chair and gradually started whirring louder and louder.
I inserted the plug of the black HP laptop's, whose screen was only hanging on by two internal connecting wires, adpater to the wall. I then threw myself into the black, leather, executive office chair with my eyes half closed.
I sat up straight and unwillingly opened my black A.P. U.S. History binder.
scary times
Its in human nature to allow one's self to imagine the worst possible case even when we know that the possibiltiy of what we think coming true is near to impossible. That was exactly what I did one lonly night. It was a dark moonless night. The wind houled against the house. I was by myself at my old two story house in Paterson. It wasn't just the moonless night but the vast emptyness that made the house so frieghtining. You see, we just recently moved into this house from a smaller house. That being the case, the house seemed to go on for ever. It wasn't till around ten o'clock that i started hearing a faint banging noise downstairs. Bang....bang.....bang..... I tried to ignore it and just turn up the volume of the movie i was watching but eventually I had to go downstairs, either for water of food or maybe the curiosity urged me. Either way, I went downstairs to cheak it out. I slowly creeped down my staircase with this growing feeling in my stomch. The noise continuously grew louder as i got closer and the closer and the feeling in my stomch was at it peak. I walked toward the noise and i found to my great relife it was just a open window. I closed the window and stared my way up to the stairs and the i saw s sudden movment in the corner of my eye. It took all but three second to get that feeling in my stomch to its peak again. I turned around as fast as i could and all i saw was a quick shadow scurry into the hallway. I stood by that hallway for a good five minutes thinking weather i should ignore what my eyes just saw. To pass it off as a trick my mind played on me or to go and investigate what that...that thing i saw was, which i REALLY didn't want to do. It took every fiber in my body to summon up the courage to finally go investigate. I went to the hallwayto turn on the light and the light flooded not only the hallway but me with light. Looking down the hallway, it seemed like a mile. The pace i chose to walk down the hallway only made the distance seem worst. I finally reached the end and there was a door creeked open. I pushed it open slowly and my first movment was toward the light switch, but the we hadn't placed a light in that room yet. Then i saw it, or rather its eyes. It was the eyes of a creture that had sufferd hunger, that would attack another being if it had to. I left to fetch a flash light and some food to get on the good side of this thing. I came back and for the second time in that day a great relife filled me. It was a only a cat, and a handsome looking cat at that. After I fed the cat some food I found I had made a new friend. The house now seemed less friegtining and with my new feline friend felt alot less lonly and to this day, whenever i feel lonly I let my cat into my house and all my fear and lonlyness disapper.
Scariest Moment
When I was eight years old, there was one thing that I absolutely was scared of. I wouldn't freak out and scream like a little girl, but my heart would beat faster and my skin would get a litte moist whenever I walked through the darkness. In my house, I had a long hallway that went across the whole house; at the end of the hallway, there was a corner and beyond it led to the living room. If you looked straight across the hallway, you couldn't see the living room, so there was a blind spot on the way there. That was the most scariest place in the house for me. My situation was that I had to walk past that corner to get to the living room if I wanted to either play games or watch television. During the night, I would always imagine things being behind that corner. I knew that things like ghosts or the boogeyman did not exist, yet I was still terrified whenever I had to walk to the livingroom. Depending what my fear was, I would imagine it to be behind the corner just waiting to pounce on me like a hungry lion catching its prey. So, for example, at one time, I had watched the Grudge, so for about a week or two I would imagine the grudge lady being behind that corner waiting to kill me. But, since I knew that she did not exist, I would have to tell myself, "There is no grudge lady, just walk as fast as you can and turn on the lights." Everytime, I would tell myself that so I woudn't be scared, but for some reason, I was always scared of something that I knew that didn't exist.
Terrifying Moment......
I walked in and thought 'alrite, hopefully this goes well,' it was the first day after all- so what could possibly go wrong? As he clock ticked, soon enough the room was full of people; each seat occupied. Thats when he started to talk, I thought to myself, 'Okay, so he's a funny guy, right...', but ofcourse fuve minutes in and i was thinking, 'Oh my cake, what did i get myself into?!' He was throwing things around like, 'you better work your butt off, otherwise you wont succed' and 'I will come up to you and tell you to get your crap together.' Whoa, that was crazy! I looked around the room and it was as if I were sitting in Anartica where everyone was frozen over with ice. It was INTENSE, i could feel the fear. I thought i was going to die in the next ten minutes. Who knew? Everyone thaought it wouldn't be so bad- but then again nothing should be assumed. A minute seemed forever to go by- it was drop dead silent in the classroom and the clocks obnoxious ticking was a constant reminder of the hour yet left of the class. Tick- tock. Tick- tock. Tick-tock. Finally a hour had gone pass, but nothing seemed at a end- because he was still in front of the room talking and the stautes were still frozen with thier eyes glued on the man taking. A short man he is, who seems not much terrifying- that is until you walk into his classroom. The class seemed to drag on and on, and the clock seemed to freeze from time to time. An hour and forty minutes had seemed three times as long. What was i going to do? There was no way i was going to get out alive! Gowsh did i need a break! A break? But summer vacation had ended just a day beforehand. I was freaking out way too much and it was still the first day of school. I freaked out even more when i noticed that because my mind was to occupied running a marathon- i was no longer paying any attention to the teacher. Oh no! Not good, I could have missed something- that one thing that could save my life! So I turned around to look at the people around me- but no difference there. They were still ice frozen, sitting at the edges of their chairs, eyes glued on the teacher. Well, that was good nothing had changed so i started to relax myself and listen to the teacher when all of a sudden RINGGGG! And my heart slammed into my chest violently. Oh my.... I can say we were saved by the bell! Wow, it had seemed like a whole day had gone by. As my friends and I exited the door we all looked at eachother- a look we all understood.........we were SCREWD!!!
So now it seemes that we were right to be freaked out- just not as much as we were. Because for starters Gumpert just really likes to freak the brains out of his AP students. :P
So now it seemes that we were right to be freaked out- just not as much as we were. Because for starters Gumpert just really likes to freak the brains out of his AP students. :P
Frustrating momemts
" You will have one week to complete a presentation with your partner" Those were the words that haunted me for the next five days working at Students in Prevention. During those five days, my partner Kathleen and I worked our hardest to perform a outstanding mock trial presentation for the workers who would tell us how we did, and if we were garbage or not.
Before I continue with this story, Kathleen and I have never been irritated or mad at each other before this. We would always be nice and trustworthy with one another. It was very shocking for this incident to happen to the both of us, but it did make us stronger.
We were given exactly five days to prepare for this presentation, and we spent as much time as we could on it. From the work site, to Kathleen's house, we would struggle on what we would say, and myself have stuttering problems because of stage fright. There wasn't much of a problem at all, everything was going very smoothly till the last two days before we had to present our presentations.
Since we were second to last on the list, I felt like dying because I didn't want to be put on the spot from doing something wrong even after we watched a bunch of other presentations. During the last few hours till we had to present, Kathleen and I spent our time practicing what we were going to say. Myself being stubborn and irritated, I took it out on her with being immature and saying things I didn't mean. I left the area and went to get my lunch, but then I realized I messed up by leaving my partner, and friend there.
As I walked back to the other room, all I could think of was an apology to Kathleen. I walked into the prevention room, and the first thing I noticed was Kathleen shedding tears. It hurt me to see that I did that, knowing that she was stressing herself off for me. I looked at Kayla, and she seemed to have mugged me, but I really didn't want to think otherwise. I was speechless and felt bad inside. I left and went to have my lunch in the other room. I was quiet and scared to talk to her, and when I did, she smiled at me and said " Lets just do it on the spot.". At first, I was thinking to myself, "Why is she doing this now?" but after while I finally understood because I felt a of stress relief.
When it was finally our turn to present, we both went all out on our presentations. Even though I still had my stage freight, I managed to step up and back up my partner when she needed it. After all of it, we were told that we did a great job and that our relationship with one another is unique and very strong. I was glad to hear that and knowing that just a few words from Kathleen could change everything. I'm happy to be working with her.
Before I continue with this story, Kathleen and I have never been irritated or mad at each other before this. We would always be nice and trustworthy with one another. It was very shocking for this incident to happen to the both of us, but it did make us stronger.
We were given exactly five days to prepare for this presentation, and we spent as much time as we could on it. From the work site, to Kathleen's house, we would struggle on what we would say, and myself have stuttering problems because of stage fright. There wasn't much of a problem at all, everything was going very smoothly till the last two days before we had to present our presentations.
Since we were second to last on the list, I felt like dying because I didn't want to be put on the spot from doing something wrong even after we watched a bunch of other presentations. During the last few hours till we had to present, Kathleen and I spent our time practicing what we were going to say. Myself being stubborn and irritated, I took it out on her with being immature and saying things I didn't mean. I left the area and went to get my lunch, but then I realized I messed up by leaving my partner, and friend there.
As I walked back to the other room, all I could think of was an apology to Kathleen. I walked into the prevention room, and the first thing I noticed was Kathleen shedding tears. It hurt me to see that I did that, knowing that she was stressing herself off for me. I looked at Kayla, and she seemed to have mugged me, but I really didn't want to think otherwise. I was speechless and felt bad inside. I left and went to have my lunch in the other room. I was quiet and scared to talk to her, and when I did, she smiled at me and said " Lets just do it on the spot.". At first, I was thinking to myself, "Why is she doing this now?" but after while I finally understood because I felt a of stress relief.
When it was finally our turn to present, we both went all out on our presentations. Even though I still had my stage freight, I managed to step up and back up my partner when she needed it. After all of it, we were told that we did a great job and that our relationship with one another is unique and very strong. I was glad to hear that and knowing that just a few words from Kathleen could change everything. I'm happy to be working with her.
:'[
As I type this half a tear tries to creep out my eye, but lord knows im way to stubborn to break down and cry, my jaw is locked so theres no way to talk, so I can only think and im stuck on this same thought, why him lord, what he do, I seen it on the news hoping it wasnt true, I was just with you over the summer now i got to to place the fact theres more seeing you, I mean dang man you just got out talking about changing your life g, how could this happen now your daughters only three, now theres another black girl growing up without a daddy, sadly, I cant say my cousin lived his life right, I can only pray that his soul gets forgiven and is now some how christ like, now one single tear has reached the tip of my chin, and im back to acting stubborn all over again.
scary moment
I looked up to see my dad pacing in the hospital waiting area. Everything seemed to have happened so fast, I was not able to comprehend what was happening around me. Even now remembering back to that moment so long ago, it is hard to determine which parts really happened and which parts are just figures of my imagination. The one part of that memory that is crystal clear, was when my whole family pilied into the car in a mad rush to the hospital. My dad in the drivers seat, my mom holding my 2 year old brother's bloody pinky with a towel, and me in the back seat. We rushed to the hospital, my mom tending to my brothers pinky while it gushed out liquid red blood into the towel , my dad yelling at me saying it was all my fault. Right before this is when my memory gets fuzzy. My mom says that I was too young to remember all of it. She said that when I was 3, I went into the garage and my brother followed me without me realizing, until the automatic door already closed on my 2 year old brothers pinky, chopping off the very tip of his pinky off. Thats when the bits of my memory starts to kick in and I remember the car ride and the pacing in the hospital waiting room. In the end my brother got his pinky sewed back on, but I will never forget the fear and anger that flashed through my familys mind, including mine, that day.
fun moment
One of the most amazing experiences I've ever had was CADA Leadership camp. Imagine a hole school year of activities crunched into four days. I learned a lot of things at CADA that will stay with me forever. Oncecamp started, we were split into different counsils based on our positions in leadership. My counsil was made up of the twenty asb presidents that were at the camp. So many leaders in one place wuth many different point of views. Our main job was to put together the rally. We had less then twenty-four hours to plan and put on the rally. As a camp we did many other activities during the day. We listened to speakers, played games, and met new people. Also there was a dance every night of camp. I made a lot of new friends from all over California at camp. And two that I still talk to on a daily basis. Another crazy thing camp made us part of was their first ever lipdub/flashmob. Picture over 300 kids doing the same dance in the middle of a college campus. It was quite a sight to see. Camp gave me opportunities to do and think of things in a different way.
My proud moment
My grades have always been something important to me. Freshman year, I slacked off and didn't realize I had to actually try and put in a good effort to get good grades. I got all my credits, but my grades were bad and my GPA was even worse. From that moment on I wanted to make it a priority to get good grades.
In the beginning of sophomore year, I moved to Sacramento to live with my mom after my parents divorce. There, I started off my second year of high school at Center High School. I didn't like it at all. I didn't know anyone, and it was hard to make friends because a lot of the people were really mean. This only made going to school worse. I didn't have the desire to go to school, and I was sick a lot so I missed a lot of school. In addition to little colds every now and then, I also got swine flu and was out of school for a week and a half. By the time I was allowed back to school, I had so much to make up I was overwhelmed and couldn't make it all up in the short amount of time I had. My grades suffered more than I did and I was again not satisfied with what I had earned.
Second semester of sophomore year, I moved back to Tracy to live with my dad. That's when I registered for Kimball High School. I was disappointed that I had to go to Kimball because my best friend of 12 years went to Tracy High. As much as I wanted to hate being at Kimball, I couldn't help but like it. The schedule worked really well for me and I decided to use that to my advantage. I told myself I would get good grades that semester and Id do anything to make it happen.
I immediately turned my plans into actions. I tried really hard and kept up with all of my homework. I asked my teachers if I didn't understand something and actually studied hard for tests and quizzes. I still remember the day that I got my report card. As I opened it and read my grades, I felt the amazing feeling of a job well done and an accomplishment I had finally achieved. I was so proud when I showed my dad, I had all A's and B's. I'm proud that I worked so hard because it showed me that I can do anything I set my mind to.
In the beginning of sophomore year, I moved to Sacramento to live with my mom after my parents divorce. There, I started off my second year of high school at Center High School. I didn't like it at all. I didn't know anyone, and it was hard to make friends because a lot of the people were really mean. This only made going to school worse. I didn't have the desire to go to school, and I was sick a lot so I missed a lot of school. In addition to little colds every now and then, I also got swine flu and was out of school for a week and a half. By the time I was allowed back to school, I had so much to make up I was overwhelmed and couldn't make it all up in the short amount of time I had. My grades suffered more than I did and I was again not satisfied with what I had earned.
Second semester of sophomore year, I moved back to Tracy to live with my dad. That's when I registered for Kimball High School. I was disappointed that I had to go to Kimball because my best friend of 12 years went to Tracy High. As much as I wanted to hate being at Kimball, I couldn't help but like it. The schedule worked really well for me and I decided to use that to my advantage. I told myself I would get good grades that semester and Id do anything to make it happen.
I immediately turned my plans into actions. I tried really hard and kept up with all of my homework. I asked my teachers if I didn't understand something and actually studied hard for tests and quizzes. I still remember the day that I got my report card. As I opened it and read my grades, I felt the amazing feeling of a job well done and an accomplishment I had finally achieved. I was so proud when I showed my dad, I had all A's and B's. I'm proud that I worked so hard because it showed me that I can do anything I set my mind to.
Scariest Moment
I actually love watching horror movies, because I think it is more thrilling to watch than any other movies. However, there was this movie called “Paranormal Activity” that gave me a chill after watching it. Furthermore, it was the scariest moment in my life.
It was January 2010 when my family and I decided to watch a movie called “Paranormal Activity”. I was all excited, while my cousins were freaking out. I sat on the floor watching the movie, while my cousins sat on the couch holding a bunch of pillow.
“Hey, what’s up with the pillows” I asked.
My cousin said, “Oh to cover our eyes, because I heard that this movie is really scary.”
I did not actually care of what my cousin told me because I was thinking that it was just a movie anyways and it was not real. At first, I thought the movie was pretty boring and I was getting sleepy. However, when the movie gets to the climaxing part, I started to get these strange feelings that I myself could not even describe. My cousins were screaming while I was silent. I was actually embarrassed to show that I was scared and I acted tough. However, deep inside, I was freaking out.
After the movie, I thought that it was peculiar of me to get scared because of a movie. Furthermore, the worst part of that day was when I was about to go to sleep alone in my room. The scenes from the movie got stuck in my head and I could not sleep at all. I was thinking of the movie scenes the whole night and I got to sleep around 4 am in the morning. That was the first time that I got really scared and I decided not to watch any more paranormal movies, because I think it is not worth it.
It was January 2010 when my family and I decided to watch a movie called “Paranormal Activity”. I was all excited, while my cousins were freaking out. I sat on the floor watching the movie, while my cousins sat on the couch holding a bunch of pillow.
“Hey, what’s up with the pillows” I asked.
My cousin said, “Oh to cover our eyes, because I heard that this movie is really scary.”
I did not actually care of what my cousin told me because I was thinking that it was just a movie anyways and it was not real. At first, I thought the movie was pretty boring and I was getting sleepy. However, when the movie gets to the climaxing part, I started to get these strange feelings that I myself could not even describe. My cousins were screaming while I was silent. I was actually embarrassed to show that I was scared and I acted tough. However, deep inside, I was freaking out.
After the movie, I thought that it was peculiar of me to get scared because of a movie. Furthermore, the worst part of that day was when I was about to go to sleep alone in my room. The scenes from the movie got stuck in my head and I could not sleep at all. I was thinking of the movie scenes the whole night and I got to sleep around 4 am in the morning. That was the first time that I got really scared and I decided not to watch any more paranormal movies, because I think it is not worth it.
Scary Moment
It was the early morning of a summer day when this horrific incident occurred. My family and I were getting ready to take my brother to the airport. I was going through my usual morning routine, washing my face, brushing my teeth, and trying to look somewhat presentable at such an early hour. It was far too early to be doing anything but sleeping. I was drowsily walking about the house, not in any sort of hurry to do much. In the midst of fixing up my hair in my bedroom, I realized I had forgot something in another room. My mom had yelled at me to hurry up or else we were going to make my brother late for his flight, so I quickly left my room to get the forgotten item. As I approached the door, a sudden pain shot through my foot and up my leg. I thought I had hit my foot on the television stand but I soon realized the pain was never this bad. I looked down to see an old, broken, metal whiteboard laying on the ground. I sat down on my bed and looked at my foot to see blood pouring out everywhere.
I yelled for my dad to bring me some toilet tissue, but he didn't know how serious this was so he acted like he had all the time in the world. He realized what happened and was in a slight panic. The next words that came from his mouth were the words I was dreading the most: "It looks like you might need stitches." I had never had stitches in my life and am terrified of needles. This day did not look like it was going to get any better. I hopped to my dads car and said goodbye to my brother since I could now not take him to the airport.
My dad tried to get me to the hospital as quickly as possible. The ride took longer than it takes for Christmas morning to arrive. I sat in the car, in pain, wishing that speed limits had never been made. When I got to the emergency room, it took them awhile for the doctor to see me because there was plenty of people who had injuries and sicknesses. When I finally got in, the doctor told me I had cut my foot nearly down to the bone and that I would need a few stitches. My heart sunk far below my stomach. This was going to ruin my last few weeks of summer and I didn't know how I was going to go through volleyball tryouts. The doctor left for a moment and returned with a syringe in his hand. The needle looked like it belonged on the top of the Empire State Building. I closed my eyes and squeezed my dads hand as he numbed the area. The pain was unbearable. I still couldn't believe that this was happening to me.
The rest of the operation went by smoothly due to the numbness of my foot. I could feel the tugging of the needle and thread but it only tingled. I was more than glad to hear that I could go home, but very sad to hear that I wouldn't be able to do any sort of active exercise for awhile. I left the hospital in a more mellow, disappointed mood, but I was okay and that's all that really mattered.
I yelled for my dad to bring me some toilet tissue, but he didn't know how serious this was so he acted like he had all the time in the world. He realized what happened and was in a slight panic. The next words that came from his mouth were the words I was dreading the most: "It looks like you might need stitches." I had never had stitches in my life and am terrified of needles. This day did not look like it was going to get any better. I hopped to my dads car and said goodbye to my brother since I could now not take him to the airport.
My dad tried to get me to the hospital as quickly as possible. The ride took longer than it takes for Christmas morning to arrive. I sat in the car, in pain, wishing that speed limits had never been made. When I got to the emergency room, it took them awhile for the doctor to see me because there was plenty of people who had injuries and sicknesses. When I finally got in, the doctor told me I had cut my foot nearly down to the bone and that I would need a few stitches. My heart sunk far below my stomach. This was going to ruin my last few weeks of summer and I didn't know how I was going to go through volleyball tryouts. The doctor left for a moment and returned with a syringe in his hand. The needle looked like it belonged on the top of the Empire State Building. I closed my eyes and squeezed my dads hand as he numbed the area. The pain was unbearable. I still couldn't believe that this was happening to me.
The rest of the operation went by smoothly due to the numbness of my foot. I could feel the tugging of the needle and thread but it only tingled. I was more than glad to hear that I could go home, but very sad to hear that I wouldn't be able to do any sort of active exercise for awhile. I left the hospital in a more mellow, disappointed mood, but I was okay and that's all that really mattered.
Scary Moment!
The morning was like every other autumn morning in October. The sky was gray and heavy with clouds. A light mist falling upon the frosty grass. Piles of red, orange, brown and yellow leaves scattered across the many lawns. The air was cold, so cold i could see a tiny cloud every time I exhaled. It was raining slightly, but so lightly it felt like the mist of a waterfall.
I stood there under a big, tilted pine tree, waiting impatiently for the bus to come. My feet and hands were cold and clenched, trying to gain some heat and feeling back into them. My nose rosy red from the bitter wind. I shifted from foot to foot under the green pine leaves, trying to avoid the light sprinkle, for i was already getting a horrible cold. I hear water splash as my friend walks through a puddle over to a spot, close to where I wait. She nods in greeting and I smile back, for we are both still waking up.
I waited, thinking about the long day ahead, staring at a spider walking along the cold bark. I hear the creek screaming in the background, it had flooded from the rain the night before. I smiled because the gushing of the creek reminds me of the many times I played there, water up to my knees with Christian. I remember the warm summer days looking for salamanders and frogs, and playing tag in the cool water.
I'm brought back to reality when my friend breaks the silence. She tells me I shouldn't be standing under the tree. When I ask why, she looks at the sky and guesses it's about to storm. Anybody who grows up in Rochester, New York knows how completely idiotic it would be to stand under a tree during our famous thunderstorms. Then, as if on cue, a clap of thunder sounds in the distance and rain pours down. I jump, slightly startled and walk towards her.
Slowly, I see her raise her arm and point towards me, eyes wide and terrified. She opens her mouth and screams as if she is being tortured. I whirled around, expecting to see a mad axe man behind me. Instead I see nothing, just rain and leaves. Then suddenly I feel a slight tickling sensation on my neck. My body froze like a statue. I lifted my hand to my neck and when i bring it down, a huge Daddy Long Leg is looking up at me with his beady black eyes. Its legs span my hand, though its body was the size of the raindrops glistening on my face. My heart starts to race and I frantically wave my hand around screaming like a lunatic. Finally the thing flies off about ten feet away and scurries off.
I stood there, palms sweating, heart racing and stare at my friend. Both of us wide eyed, when suddenly I crack a smile.
I wonder how it feels like dying. I wonder how it's like, laying in bed aimlessly, taking your last breath. Do you really see a white light like they say? Or does everything turn dark and empty?
My mom was the person that told me me great-grandma had died. She said she had passed away peacefully, without pain. My mom told me this without sorrow or tears, but with a gentle smile. How could you smile at this? I wondered confused. Why?
I remember my mom receiving a phone call from the Philippines. I could hear her laughing and shouting in Tagalog. I could see her face, bright and fresh like the morning sun. She looked so happy and overjoyed to talk to her sister again. But as I listened to her conversation more, I could hear her voice starting to shake. The atmosphere of the room faded into some kind of sadness, and I began to worry.
I watched as my mom hung up the phone and grab a tissue. She looked up at me, sniffling, and walked over to where I was standing.
"What's wrong?" I asked, looking up at her.
"Your great grandma died." She said, smiling softly, bringing the crumpled tissue up to her nose. Not knowing what to say, I stood there silently mouthing the word, "Oh." It was difficult finding comforting words to say.
My mom was the person that told me me great-grandma had died. She said she had passed away peacefully, without pain. My mom told me this without sorrow or tears, but with a gentle smile. How could you smile at this? I wondered confused. Why?
I remember my mom receiving a phone call from the Philippines. I could hear her laughing and shouting in Tagalog. I could see her face, bright and fresh like the morning sun. She looked so happy and overjoyed to talk to her sister again. But as I listened to her conversation more, I could hear her voice starting to shake. The atmosphere of the room faded into some kind of sadness, and I began to worry.
I watched as my mom hung up the phone and grab a tissue. She looked up at me, sniffling, and walked over to where I was standing.
"What's wrong?" I asked, looking up at her.
"Your great grandma died." She said, smiling softly, bringing the crumpled tissue up to her nose. Not knowing what to say, I stood there silently mouthing the word, "Oh." It was difficult finding comforting words to say.
Scary/Silly moment
The pressure was on. That one kid from Uncle Mark's last party was trying to show us how cool he was. There was no other choice but to out show him. The bull was on the other side of the pen, it wouldn't catch me. He said I wouldn't be able to do it, which fueled my fire more. I opened the pen door and began my perilous journey. Each step made noise that could easily be heard from across the world. I knew it could sense me, smell me, it was just waiting until I had no chance of survival. I kept going. I could see my goal; the haystack, and beyond it the barn which I could reside until the bull had forgotten about me. In that second I had lost my focus and slipped on some liquidy brown stuff and hit the ground. I didn't dare look to see if it was chasing me, I knew any second I wasted looking back, would slow me down. I could hear my friends screaming in anguish or maybe it was laughing? At the time it seemed like they were on my side. Suddenly, I felt the hay stack, and began my ascent. I reached the top, sat down, took a breath, and looked for the bull. The "bull" was snorting at the bottom of the haystack. The "bull" was a pig. :(
One of the worst things that can happen in any relationship, whether it's in love, friendship, or family, is drifting away from people they love. Everyone has had some kind of experience where they're drifted away from someone. For me, it's happened often because of someone moving away. However, this time the friendship didn't end because of someone moving. Things just happened to fall apart.
I remember when we first became friends. We laughed and joked around like we had known each other forever. We talked everyday, which was unusual for me because I normally don't talk to one person so often. I prefer talking to people every few days so we would always have to catch up with what the other was doing. But for some reason I felt that if we ever stopped talking it would be for good. So we talked and talked and talked. It felt amazing to have someone to talk to without them getting tired of me.
Then things started to change. We started talking less and less. It made me feel like they didn't care about me as much as I cared about them. I felt like they had forgotten all about me. It's not a pleasant feeling at all. It felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest and was being used to play baseball. I was the pitcher and they batted it right out of the park. I, being the introvert that I am, never liked to start conversations so us drifting apart was probably my fault too. Even though I was never the one starting the conversations, maybe I could have saved what was left of our friendship. I'm not sure what I did to make them ignore me, but even though we don't talk anymore, I'm always going to be there for them. I'm always going to love them like their big sister.
I remember when we first became friends. We laughed and joked around like we had known each other forever. We talked everyday, which was unusual for me because I normally don't talk to one person so often. I prefer talking to people every few days so we would always have to catch up with what the other was doing. But for some reason I felt that if we ever stopped talking it would be for good. So we talked and talked and talked. It felt amazing to have someone to talk to without them getting tired of me.
Then things started to change. We started talking less and less. It made me feel like they didn't care about me as much as I cared about them. I felt like they had forgotten all about me. It's not a pleasant feeling at all. It felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest and was being used to play baseball. I was the pitcher and they batted it right out of the park. I, being the introvert that I am, never liked to start conversations so us drifting apart was probably my fault too. Even though I was never the one starting the conversations, maybe I could have saved what was left of our friendship. I'm not sure what I did to make them ignore me, but even though we don't talk anymore, I'm always going to be there for them. I'm always going to love them like their big sister.
Four Christmases ago, I was shaken from sleep by my brother who was excited to inform me that he had woken up to a brand new 50cc Honda dirt bike in the middle of our living room failing to hide behind the big ribbon tied to it's shiny handlebars. As the years passes, my brother's dirt biking hobby slowly turned into an obsession. My family knew that like any other sport it was dangerous, and we saw just how dangerous it could be this summer.
It was race day early in the morning at Club Motto when my brother putted off preparing for his first race. I figured it wouldn't be long before everyone returned, so I waited; keeping myself busy with cleaning the mess left behind from the rushed morning. But when the minutes kept passing and his dirt bike class was filing back to their camps, I came to the realization that something had gone wrong. Trying to convince myself otherwise, I waited again and when I finally glanced my brother's red 85cc looking banged and bruised, I was disappointed to see two of his friends tugging the bike onto the stand. I demanded to know what happened, and after a few seconds, one boy answered slowly "he's gotten into a crash, looks like a bad one." Fear swept through me as I stood still watching them walk away.
As his words began to sink in and the boys had disappeared, I began to walk slowly down the long dirt road that lead to the track in the search of my brother. Races were still going on as the announcer's slurred words boomed through the old speakers. Curiously, I followed a small string of people to find my mother walking around in distracted circles not knowing what to do, when she finally noticed me, she nodded and signaled for me to follow, and when we turned the corner around a curiously placed couch, the ambulance's lights came into view.
When we reached the back of the ambulance both doors were wide open where people stood scrambled around my father who was holding a broken helmet and torn shirt. I glanced over the lady in the ambulance to see my brother in tears with a bruised face and cut up arms. Everything after that was a blur of people, lights, rooms, and words. Relief swept through me as we were informed by the emergency room that he'll be just fine with lots of rest and ice, and not to be alarmed when his black eye appears.
It was race day early in the morning at Club Motto when my brother putted off preparing for his first race. I figured it wouldn't be long before everyone returned, so I waited; keeping myself busy with cleaning the mess left behind from the rushed morning. But when the minutes kept passing and his dirt bike class was filing back to their camps, I came to the realization that something had gone wrong. Trying to convince myself otherwise, I waited again and when I finally glanced my brother's red 85cc looking banged and bruised, I was disappointed to see two of his friends tugging the bike onto the stand. I demanded to know what happened, and after a few seconds, one boy answered slowly "he's gotten into a crash, looks like a bad one." Fear swept through me as I stood still watching them walk away.
As his words began to sink in and the boys had disappeared, I began to walk slowly down the long dirt road that lead to the track in the search of my brother. Races were still going on as the announcer's slurred words boomed through the old speakers. Curiously, I followed a small string of people to find my mother walking around in distracted circles not knowing what to do, when she finally noticed me, she nodded and signaled for me to follow, and when we turned the corner around a curiously placed couch, the ambulance's lights came into view.
When we reached the back of the ambulance both doors were wide open where people stood scrambled around my father who was holding a broken helmet and torn shirt. I glanced over the lady in the ambulance to see my brother in tears with a bruised face and cut up arms. Everything after that was a blur of people, lights, rooms, and words. Relief swept through me as we were informed by the emergency room that he'll be just fine with lots of rest and ice, and not to be alarmed when his black eye appears.
I still remember it like it was yesterday. I was at Rachels house and we were outside playing dodge ball with her two neighbors on her neighbors driveway. We were on teams, Rachel and I were on one, and the other two girls were on the second. The winners would be whoever reached 20 points first. We had to of been playing for atleast thirty minutes. Rachel and i were full of ambition to beat the other team, and when we finally realized we were the winners, the feeling of joy and pride took over us. One minute i was watching Rachel's hip come toward me so we could bump hips and the next minute i was on the floor. As i was laying on the sidewalk at the bottom of the driveway, i realized that when we bumped hips, i lost my balance, fell, and rolled down the driveway. I couldn't help but laugh and when i started, the others jumped in. It was an embarrassing, but really funny moment.
Sad Moment
Being the last day of 6th grade, I thought it would be a good day to celebrate. No more classes or homework, it was greatest thing a kid could ask for. Upon arriving home and hearing about the death of my uncle, I knew this summer wouldn't be as joyous as those of the past.
I did not know how to take the news of my uncle's loss. There had been deaths in the family before, however, this time, it felt different. This time it was someone who had been really close to me, and someone I had a relationship with as I was growing up. In a sense, I recall it being the first death in the family since it was the first time I felt loss.
Even though I did feel sadness, nothing could compare to the sorrow that my uncle's children and wife felt. Hearing of my uncle's brutal accident where his car got hit by a train was shocking enough, I did not know how they would respond to such a thing. My mother took me to their house so that could mourn. Pulling up to their house, I recall seeing many cars outside. "Everyone is here," I thought. Rarely did the whole family ever get together. My uncle's affected everyone it seemed. When we entered the house, everyone was speechless. Some were trying to comfort my aunt as tears fell from her eyes. My cousins were quiet. Wandering aimlessly around, they were probably confused, just like me, as to how to react to their father's sudden death.
That was probably what hurt the most. It was all too sudden. It was just a normal, humdrum day, then instantly something changed. One thing I got out of this ordeal was to cherish the precious time I have with my loved ones.
Frustrating Moment
Most of my frustrating moments occur in math class. From elementary school to middle school my favorite subject was math. When I reached highschool and took geometry I learned that we have to do proofs math became my worst subject. When I was young I liked math because I understood the concept of using formulas and methods. Now I am confused and frustrated there are so many formulas to memorize and many methods to remember. I am always asking for help from the people around me trying to understand the concept. The thing that frustrates me the most in math is the formulas and methods you have to memorize I cant seem to find a way to remember them. But I am lucky to have my sister in the same math class as me so I am able to get help at home. Working with my friends and teachers has helped my frustration. But I don't think I will ever be able to like math again. Someday I hope to understand it better.
Happy Experience
We finally land on this cold fifteen hour long flight from the San Francisco airport. I had been knocked unconscious by the Chinese opera music playing in my headphones for the past fifteen hours. The highlight of my trip so far was the airplane food. I had been starving ever since I'd been on the plane. They finally brought me my eggs, sausages, and my small cup of orange juice. The eggs were a little bit runny for my tastes, despite the taste; I devoured the plate of food within seconds. Fast forward to the present, here we are in what I thought was the Vietnam airport, but I find that what they were speaking in the airport wasn’t Vietnamese. I realized that we had just landed in Taipei, about another three hour flight to Vietnam. I was disappointed, as we waited for our next plane. My mother and I hopped on the next plane and luckily they didn’t have any of that Chinese opera.
We finally land in Vietnam and as I approached the door that connected the airplane to the airport; a putrid stench attacked my nose with the fury of a thousand Native American tribes. We picked up our luggage from the escalator that goes in circles; each bag seemed to weigh at least three-hundred pounds each. We grabbed a cart to put our luggage on and were on our way outside. It was about noon and as we walked out I could feel the humid air begin to drain the energy away from me. Within seconds I had been sweating, and my clothes had soaked as if I have been shot a thousand times with hundreds of super soakers. I would have surely won a wet t-shirt contest easily that day.
Our family quickly spotted us and threw everything in the back of a silver Toyota van that we had rented. We drove about a half an hour to our house way out in the ghettos of Vietnam where my family lived. The road was made of dirt and nothing more, everything there seemed underdeveloped kind of like a fetus. I would have dropped dead and given up on life if there wasn’t any air conditioning in this van. We arrived in our village and took about ten minutes to unpack our entire luggage. I got to finally see my cousins, aunts, uncles, and my grandpa who I’ve haven’t seen in nearly five years. We got reacquainted and began to make up for the past five years that I had been gone. The long trip was well worth it, reuniting with my long lost family again.
We finally land in Vietnam and as I approached the door that connected the airplane to the airport; a putrid stench attacked my nose with the fury of a thousand Native American tribes. We picked up our luggage from the escalator that goes in circles; each bag seemed to weigh at least three-hundred pounds each. We grabbed a cart to put our luggage on and were on our way outside. It was about noon and as we walked out I could feel the humid air begin to drain the energy away from me. Within seconds I had been sweating, and my clothes had soaked as if I have been shot a thousand times with hundreds of super soakers. I would have surely won a wet t-shirt contest easily that day.
Our family quickly spotted us and threw everything in the back of a silver Toyota van that we had rented. We drove about a half an hour to our house way out in the ghettos of Vietnam where my family lived. The road was made of dirt and nothing more, everything there seemed underdeveloped kind of like a fetus. I would have dropped dead and given up on life if there wasn’t any air conditioning in this van. We arrived in our village and took about ten minutes to unpack our entire luggage. I got to finally see my cousins, aunts, uncles, and my grandpa who I’ve haven’t seen in nearly five years. We got reacquainted and began to make up for the past five years that I had been gone. The long trip was well worth it, reuniting with my long lost family again.
Frustrating Moment
"Your homework for tonigh is..." This is the phrase that all teachers end their class with. After a long day of using brain at school, it is time to go home and use it on six hours of homework. Walk in the door of the house and have half hour to eat something and watch t.v. What about rest of the day? That is dedicated to the explosion of the brain. Walking up the stairs and to my room, the only thought on my mind is, "I have homework for this class. I have homework for that class." Once in my room and set to start my countless hours in there, the process begins by checking the homework organizer. When so many letters of grey lead come to sight, the overwhelming feeling comes forth. With no one to complain to, the only choice left is to start on the homework.
Going on and on with writing, the pencil gives pink blisters on the fingers. Finally, when the assignment is done, relief rushes through the brain. But homework's not done yet! Still, there are assignments from other classes. Now, more hours are to be spent sitting in the dead room with no sounds other than the writing of pencil on a paper..
Going on and on with writing, the pencil gives pink blisters on the fingers. Finally, when the assignment is done, relief rushes through the brain. But homework's not done yet! Still, there are assignments from other classes. Now, more hours are to be spent sitting in the dead room with no sounds other than the writing of pencil on a paper..
Fun Experience: Cousins
Honestly, I don't get to see my cousins as often as I want to. But that's because my family is the only family that lives up North, whereas the rest of the Banci families live in South California. I love my cousins and everytime we go do something, I cherish it.
Carina, my cousin, Chris, and I are the youngest in our group and let's just say that we don't get to do stuff that our twenty year old cousins, which is the majority of us, get to do. But there are things that both age groups enjoy like our trip down to Universal Studios and bowling. When we went to Universal Studios, I felt as if everybody was all one age because we all were riding rides, getting wet while watching a water show, and just having fun. Plus, it's not everyday that we get to go out and do stuff like this, so that made our trip even more special. I especially loved how we chilled in Universal City, eating Pinky's hot dogs while listening to a live alternative rock band because it was just one of those moments where you realize how much you enjoy being with your cousins more than anything else. It's definitely something I want to do again.
In conclusion, I don't see my cousins a lot, but that's because we live in different parts of California. That makes me cherish the times that I have with my cousins because obviously we don't go on our own trips a whole lot. I want to hang out with them as much as possible because I know we won't be able to do this when we're older and have our own families to hang out with.
Carina, my cousin, Chris, and I are the youngest in our group and let's just say that we don't get to do stuff that our twenty year old cousins, which is the majority of us, get to do. But there are things that both age groups enjoy like our trip down to Universal Studios and bowling. When we went to Universal Studios, I felt as if everybody was all one age because we all were riding rides, getting wet while watching a water show, and just having fun. Plus, it's not everyday that we get to go out and do stuff like this, so that made our trip even more special. I especially loved how we chilled in Universal City, eating Pinky's hot dogs while listening to a live alternative rock band because it was just one of those moments where you realize how much you enjoy being with your cousins more than anything else. It's definitely something I want to do again.
In conclusion, I don't see my cousins a lot, but that's because we live in different parts of California. That makes me cherish the times that I have with my cousins because obviously we don't go on our own trips a whole lot. I want to hang out with them as much as possible because I know we won't be able to do this when we're older and have our own families to hang out with.
Shortly after the death of my father, yet another life changing event occurred in my life. My mom was diagnosed with an auto immune disorder called Takayasus.
Takayasus is a very rare auto immune disorder, most commonly found in Asian women. Takayasus can weaken your immune system and can cause a stroke and the appearance of brain aneurysm, which explains why my mother had a stroke at age 26 and has 3 brain aneurysms.
For years, my mom had been misdiagnosed. She was put on so many different medications, some seemed to help, while others only made her condition worse. We were so happy that we finally found out what was really causing my mom to be ill, but we were devastated to hear that she did not have much time to live.
Luckily, my mom pulled through and is continuing to pull through. She's a fighter. She is constantly battling all the complications that come along with her condition, which has no cure. She is still very sick, but she out lived the age all her doctors predicted she would live to. For this, I am very thankful.
Takayasus is a very rare auto immune disorder, most commonly found in Asian women. Takayasus can weaken your immune system and can cause a stroke and the appearance of brain aneurysm, which explains why my mother had a stroke at age 26 and has 3 brain aneurysms.
For years, my mom had been misdiagnosed. She was put on so many different medications, some seemed to help, while others only made her condition worse. We were so happy that we finally found out what was really causing my mom to be ill, but we were devastated to hear that she did not have much time to live.
Luckily, my mom pulled through and is continuing to pull through. She's a fighter. She is constantly battling all the complications that come along with her condition, which has no cure. She is still very sick, but she out lived the age all her doctors predicted she would live to. For this, I am very thankful.
Disappointment
My parents have been divorced since I was a year old, so whenever I can visit my dad it's like I won the lottery. But there was one time when I was around six or seven that I couldn't and it broke my heart.
I was all set to go, my bags were packed and I couldn't stop smiling the whole way to the train station in San Jose. My dad was supposed to come on the morning train from... where ever he was staying at the time, pick me up after having an awkward conversation with my mom, then we would take a train back to where he was staying. But things never go exactly as planned.
My mom and I were parked in the parking lot waiting for my dad's train to come when my mom got a call. It was my dad. They talked for a little while, then the phone was given to me. I was overjoyed to hear his voice and immediately asked how much longer I would have to wait. My face fell when I heard that I wouldn't be able to see him. My dad doesn't have a drivers license let alone a car so his only choice was to depend on someone else to get him to the train station which no one could do.
I tried not to cry and tried to act like a big girl but as soon as I gave the phone back to my mom, I started bawling my eyes out. I hardly ever see my dad and it crushed me when I was told that I couldn't go that day. The whole ride home I never stopped sobbing.
pretty proud of soph year
They say high school is really tough. Guess what? It is! That is, if you can't handle it. Sophomore year is an important year because you have to take important things like the CAHSEE. However, it's also the year of celebrating that you're not a freshman to other folk. Im glad that I finished sophomore year with okay grades, my club running well, and having new friendships.
I didnt have the best grades in freshman year because I was near failing physics and PE. So I tried changing it in sophomore year. I took classes that I could kind of handle. World History AP and Pre-AP Biology were my hardest classes to keep up with and English Pre-AP was always on the rocks. However, I was able to pass those classes with at least a C and I'm okay with that because I tried. Sophomore year though wasn't all about academics because I did other things like helping to run a club.
Kimball University Club was created by Miss Klo and Mrs. Thornton. Jamie Lam, Catrina and I helped made the club grow. Jamie was president, Catrina was treasurer, and I was vice-president. We had a secretary but she was never there. We met up every week to discuss fund-raiser ideas and which colleges we wanted to visit. In sophomore year, we hosted the college fair, visited Cal Berkeley, and had a successful fund-raiser. Not only did this club brought opportunities, it also brought new friends.
I met new people through the club and classes that had 95% of freshmen in them. I was the only sophomore in Pre-AP Biology. I was one of the two sophomores in French 1. Though freshmen can get pretty annoying, I was able to find ones that weren't so irritating and had fun that way.
My sophomore year wasn't a total failure because I ended up having passable grades, a good club, and bunch of new friends. I learned alot of things from my mistakes and so I hope I'm able to not to the same mistakes in my junior year. High school to me is something that never stops being surprising.
I didnt have the best grades in freshman year because I was near failing physics and PE. So I tried changing it in sophomore year. I took classes that I could kind of handle. World History AP and Pre-AP Biology were my hardest classes to keep up with and English Pre-AP was always on the rocks. However, I was able to pass those classes with at least a C and I'm okay with that because I tried. Sophomore year though wasn't all about academics because I did other things like helping to run a club.
Kimball University Club was created by Miss Klo and Mrs. Thornton. Jamie Lam, Catrina and I helped made the club grow. Jamie was president, Catrina was treasurer, and I was vice-president. We had a secretary but she was never there. We met up every week to discuss fund-raiser ideas and which colleges we wanted to visit. In sophomore year, we hosted the college fair, visited Cal Berkeley, and had a successful fund-raiser. Not only did this club brought opportunities, it also brought new friends.
I met new people through the club and classes that had 95% of freshmen in them. I was the only sophomore in Pre-AP Biology. I was one of the two sophomores in French 1. Though freshmen can get pretty annoying, I was able to find ones that weren't so irritating and had fun that way.
My sophomore year wasn't a total failure because I ended up having passable grades, a good club, and bunch of new friends. I learned alot of things from my mistakes and so I hope I'm able to not to the same mistakes in my junior year. High school to me is something that never stops being surprising.
Frustrating moment
I got in the car full of excitement and my mom drove me to school. I couldnt wait to see my schedule. When I finally got it, I found out out they messed it up. They gave me Human Physiology instead of Spanish 3. I was so really frustrated because when I went to the office to talk to my councilor, the office ladies wouldnt let me, and instead they kept telling me to fill out a form, which I had already done. After about 3 weeks of school I finally got a reply for the form, which said, sorry spanish 3 is full. I was really mad because I passed Spanish 2 last year and I didnt get spanish 3 this year. What made me even more frustrated was that a bunch of sophomores got spanish 3 and I didnt! Shouldn't juniors get priority?
My Last Breath
Playing sports, hanging out with friends, going on family vacations, doing good in school; all sounds like a good life. This has been my life, for as long as I can remember. But all of it almost ended, about four years ago.
I was diagnosed with asthma the minute I was born, because I was not breathing when my mom gave birth to me. I was put in intensive care for the first three weeks of my life. But since then, I have lived a completely normal life, aside from the being allergic to all my animals, except my fish. I was in sixth grade, and I was home sick. I thought it was a normal cold, and it was, at first. The third day I was sick, as I was laying on the couch, I had a very hard time breathing. I thought it was my asthma acting up again so I didn't think anything of it, until after I did my inhaler and it didn't work. I felt my lungs collapsing inside of me. Every second that past, it got harder and harder to breathe. My mom rushed me to the ER. A five minute car ride to my mom, felt like an hour long car ride to me. There was not enough oxygen in my body to give me enough energy to walk, so my mom put me in a wheelchair and pushed me in.
I finally got to the hospital room, a sigh of relief came over me. The doctor came in and examined me. He said I had a pneumonia, but because of my asthma, it became a lot more severe then normal. I stayed in the hospital for a week, then the doctor finally released me to go home. I have never been so happy. That night was the scariest night of my life, as I thought I was taking my last breath.
I was diagnosed with asthma the minute I was born, because I was not breathing when my mom gave birth to me. I was put in intensive care for the first three weeks of my life. But since then, I have lived a completely normal life, aside from the being allergic to all my animals, except my fish. I was in sixth grade, and I was home sick. I thought it was a normal cold, and it was, at first. The third day I was sick, as I was laying on the couch, I had a very hard time breathing. I thought it was my asthma acting up again so I didn't think anything of it, until after I did my inhaler and it didn't work. I felt my lungs collapsing inside of me. Every second that past, it got harder and harder to breathe. My mom rushed me to the ER. A five minute car ride to my mom, felt like an hour long car ride to me. There was not enough oxygen in my body to give me enough energy to walk, so my mom put me in a wheelchair and pushed me in.
I finally got to the hospital room, a sigh of relief came over me. The doctor came in and examined me. He said I had a pneumonia, but because of my asthma, it became a lot more severe then normal. I stayed in the hospital for a week, then the doctor finally released me to go home. I have never been so happy. That night was the scariest night of my life, as I thought I was taking my last breath.
I Reminisce...
The smell of disinfectant alcohol always lingers in the air, hitting me with a wall of nostalgia and reminding me that the white, pastel walls surrounding me were safe and not evil. I reminisce about the times I visited the doctor, catching the same smell everytime I walk in. I reminisce about my adolescent self looking at my grandfather tucked under the sheets during his few days on earth. I reminisce about looking at my mother's smile as we, the family, play with my new born brother. But now that I am older and wiser I cannot help my heart stop hesitantly between beats as I stare at my grandmother. She was small and fragile that everytime she barely moved a muscle I would tense up, hoping that she wouldn't suddenly collapse. I tighten my jaw as I watched her struggle with the breathing mask that covered her whole face. She was not used to it so she kept on trying to take it off but without it she would have trouble breathing. The adults in the room go to her aid, telling her it will help her and she should stay calm. It made me wonder who the children in the room were. As I stood next to my cousin against the wall I could not help but feel useless in this situation. I could not do anything for her during this time. It frightened me to think that when I do help her she would only break in my arms. So, I continue to stand back, feeling my heart break everytime the clock ticks away the seconds of my time with her.
I enjoy Disneyland every time i go there. I try to convince my parents to go at least once a year, that's how much i love it. The last time i went was last summer. During the summer is the best time to go. My whole family went, such as my cousins, aunts and uncles. I have a big family that it made the trip much enjoyable. We really enjoyed it because its such a happy place to be. We decided to arrive very early. We had breakfast really fast, however i didnt like that idea because food in the early morning makes me sick. It was really hard to wake up and stay awake because we had been cruising L.A the whole night with my cousins. We got to Disneyland and we went wild. We went to different attractions such as "Splash Mountain" and the "Matterhorn". We looked like little three year old going wild. I really enjoyed it when it got dark because there was a dance area. It was new and i have never been to it. Me and my cousins dance nonstop. We loved it! Dancing at Disneyland was like heaven on earth. We met new kids from different places. I didn't know you could meet so much people in one place. We went to the Fantasmic show later on. I enjoyed watching the lights and the special effects it was something you don't see often, however i wasn't smart because i decided to sit in the front where all the water splashed. Pretty much after the show i was drenched in water. Even though i've seen this show so many times, i would never get bored of it. We took advantage to enjoy Disneyland one more time before it closed down. Back at the hotel we all arrived and slept like babies. We were exhausted by all the walking we had done. Disneyland is a place where everyone should have the chance to go. It's a great place for children as well as adults! Even though it's tiring, it's really worth it because there is so much to explore!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Could have, Should have.
We were just there. They were suppose to come over, but got canceled. It was so sudden, so unexpected. It was too fast and was way to soon. I know it wasn't time. It could have been prevented, it should have been prevented. But, it was too late. I was young, everything I remember just seems like a blur. She was a daughter, a wonderful wife, a sister, she was a great mother, she was a grandmother, she was my mamang, and she left us on September 23, 1997. She was very young, she passed away at the age of only 47. There was so much she should have been able to do, experience, live.
I was only four years old, but I can still recall some of the fun, sad, happy moments I shared with her. One that I seem to remeber quite clearly, was when she was reading me a book, but she would keep falling asleep on me and I would keep waking her up until she finished the story. I remember it so well, it was about pandas. After a while I just let her sleep, and the memory just fades away. I still can recall the times we would sit on the swing outside her house with my aunt, uncles, my mom and my younger brother and how she would tickle me, mess with me. I probably didn't like it so much, but what I would give up anything just to relive those moments again. I wish I could remember more, but I just can't.
Everytime I remember her, just a saying her name just brings me to tears. We just came from a trip from the Philippines, and my grandfather and grandmother were suppose to follow soon after, but for some reason it was canceled. I can't help but think maybe if they did come and follow, and came to the U.S. then she would still be here. Here with me, my brother, my cousins, my mom, uncles, aunts. She could've, she should've.
My Mamang is one of the strongest people I know. I wish she could see me now, who I am, and who I've grown up to be. I wish she was still here, she should be here. But, I know somewhere shes there, somewhere out there watching over me. And I know someday I will see her again. Someday. Though she isn't here physically, shes always with me in my heart and in my mind. Always. I miss and love you mang.
I was only four years old, but I can still recall some of the fun, sad, happy moments I shared with her. One that I seem to remeber quite clearly, was when she was reading me a book, but she would keep falling asleep on me and I would keep waking her up until she finished the story. I remember it so well, it was about pandas. After a while I just let her sleep, and the memory just fades away. I still can recall the times we would sit on the swing outside her house with my aunt, uncles, my mom and my younger brother and how she would tickle me, mess with me. I probably didn't like it so much, but what I would give up anything just to relive those moments again. I wish I could remember more, but I just can't.
Everytime I remember her, just a saying her name just brings me to tears. We just came from a trip from the Philippines, and my grandfather and grandmother were suppose to follow soon after, but for some reason it was canceled. I can't help but think maybe if they did come and follow, and came to the U.S. then she would still be here. Here with me, my brother, my cousins, my mom, uncles, aunts. She could've, she should've.
My Mamang is one of the strongest people I know. I wish she could see me now, who I am, and who I've grown up to be. I wish she was still here, she should be here. But, I know somewhere shes there, somewhere out there watching over me. And I know someday I will see her again. Someday. Though she isn't here physically, shes always with me in my heart and in my mind. Always. I miss and love you mang.
Anger
It happened so suddenly, out of the blue,a big shock. I was hoping nothing happened. However, that wasn't the case.
My dad had gone to our home in Peru.That's in South America in case your wondering. He went for a family emergency that had happened. My grandmother got sick,really bad. The family over there asked my dad to go to see whats going on. My dad agreed and went off. He said he would only be gone for a while then come back home.
A week or so went by quick and my dad came back, however the news that came with him wasn't so great. He took me and my sister to his room and we sat down in a circle. Then he told us what had happened. "Your grandma was sick and there was nothing the doctors could do". "She has passed away". For a while me and my sister were quiet until we started crying out of shock. Then my dad said, "Its OK, she was tired and she wanted to sleep. So she closed her eyes and she left".
I broke into tears, I felt so much pain and anger. I thought,"My grandmother died, she died and i wasn't there, i wasn't there to say goodbye. I was so sad that I couldn't even stand. What happened, I never thought it would happen.
I began to remember fun and happy memories. How she danced with me, how she would tell me to always be happy and how she said she'd be there when I turn 15 and when I get married. But now I don't think that will ever happen. I missed her, and I still do miss her. I will always remember her and what she taught me. I love you abuelita rojana.
My dad had gone to our home in Peru.That's in South America in case your wondering. He went for a family emergency that had happened. My grandmother got sick,really bad. The family over there asked my dad to go to see whats going on. My dad agreed and went off. He said he would only be gone for a while then come back home.
A week or so went by quick and my dad came back, however the news that came with him wasn't so great. He took me and my sister to his room and we sat down in a circle. Then he told us what had happened. "Your grandma was sick and there was nothing the doctors could do". "She has passed away". For a while me and my sister were quiet until we started crying out of shock. Then my dad said, "Its OK, she was tired and she wanted to sleep. So she closed her eyes and she left".
I broke into tears, I felt so much pain and anger. I thought,"My grandmother died, she died and i wasn't there, i wasn't there to say goodbye. I was so sad that I couldn't even stand. What happened, I never thought it would happen.
I began to remember fun and happy memories. How she danced with me, how she would tell me to always be happy and how she said she'd be there when I turn 15 and when I get married. But now I don't think that will ever happen. I missed her, and I still do miss her. I will always remember her and what she taught me. I love you abuelita rojana.
The Monster
When you heart is pumping loudly and your adrenaline kicks in you know you're experiencing the most scary thing in your life. That's how I felt like when I was being chased by a CHIHUAHUA! You would think these kinds of dogs are the nicest, because they're small and cuddly. WRONG! They're more aggressive than sharks! When I was only seven years old I was chased by the most nastiest chihuahua you'd ever meet.
I was walking home after school. The distance between my school and my house was only about three blocks away. When I was halfway there I heard a small vicious growling nearby. I slowly turned my head to the sound...about six feet away a small brown chihuahua was looking straight at me. This was the nastiest, meanest, yet cutest chihuahua I've ever seen. I actually saw drool running down out of it's mouth. For a while, I had a "staring contest" with the dog. This ferocious creature intimidated me making me flee for my life. While I was running away I could feel my heart thumping against my chest. Then, I jumped on top of a five foot cement block. Thankfully, the dog wasn't big enough to jump on. I took off my shoe and threw it at the face of evil. It was still hopping up and down trying to reach me. Luckily, the owner found his dog and called the melavolent demon over. The evil monster finally left and I was safe to go home. Well, other than chihuahuas...I still love dogs. ; p
I was walking home after school. The distance between my school and my house was only about three blocks away. When I was halfway there I heard a small vicious growling nearby. I slowly turned my head to the sound...about six feet away a small brown chihuahua was looking straight at me. This was the nastiest, meanest, yet cutest chihuahua I've ever seen. I actually saw drool running down out of it's mouth. For a while, I had a "staring contest" with the dog. This ferocious creature intimidated me making me flee for my life. While I was running away I could feel my heart thumping against my chest. Then, I jumped on top of a five foot cement block. Thankfully, the dog wasn't big enough to jump on. I took off my shoe and threw it at the face of evil. It was still hopping up and down trying to reach me. Luckily, the owner found his dog and called the melavolent demon over. The evil monster finally left and I was safe to go home. Well, other than chihuahuas...I still love dogs. ; p
Oh, Happy day :)
I stood in front of two large double doors, tired from standing and walking along the streets of San Francisco in five inch heels. Waiting inside was a large decorated ballroom with crystal chandeliers that sparkled as the light hits them and white lilies along a table large enough for seventeen people. My hands start to shake as I grab my dance partner’s hand. The excruciating pain as I walked felt as if my chair was a mile away from where I stood. Behind the smile on my face was a girl wanting to just throw off her shoes and be in comfortable clothing from head to toe. The urge to sit and rest my legs had to wait ten more minutes. Everyone in dresses and tuxedos gracefully walked onto the dance floor. I could hear a clock ticking inside my head. Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. My heart pounded as if I was having a cardiac arrest. Ba-boom. Ba-boom. Ba-boom.
A man’s voice echoed throughout the room, and then it was our cue to start to dance. Hair whipped back and forth, girls dropped to the floor while the boys caught them, hips swayed, bodies twirled, and everyone was in sync. Five minutes were spent dancing to Latin music. The lights dimmed onto one couple. A large circle surrounded my partner and me, we danced the merengue and our turn was over. After each couple danced under the spot light, it was time for the finale. Each couple danced like there was no tomorrow. At the end everyone dispersed and grabbed someone sitting at a table and took them to dance. At the end of the entire performance, I was tired but yet relieved I made it through the dance with my nerves. October 3, 2009 was one of the best days of my life.
All my life I have believed in spirits or "ghosts" due to the fact that I was raised in a religious environment. As Christians we believe in both Holy and evil spirits. Although I never feared evil spirits as a young child, as I grew older I became terrified. Not knowing at the time that that my grandparents shared their house with the supernatural, a chill ran down my spine every time I walked down the long dark hallway. I would dread walking to the bathroom at the end of the hall feeling and knowing there was indeed a presence. Guilt spilled over me like cold water from a shower head, dreading to go to my grandparents house, not because I didn't like them but because the lonesome spirits lounging about their bedrooms and bathrooms.
We often visited my mother's parents because we are extremely close to them, having seen them everyday of our childhood. Just a two years ago I found out that their house was infested with ghosts and I wasn't just imagining it. Not helping my phobia with evil spirits, finding out that the house we basically lived at was haunted was one of the scariest moments of my life. My mom began to tell me the horrible experiences with the supernatural, as a young girl. It was at that moment that was most frightening to me when it all became so real. It wasn't my imagination from the scary, popcorn throwing movies or the late night slumber party's stories, but it was reality.
Although I was extremely scared I begged for more stories. She began to go into great detail about how a man from the 1900's dressed in a suit along with a cane and a tall hat sitting on his head would came into her bedroom and stand there just breathing over her. From time to time the man would return but her parents never believed her. Sounding ridiculous, her parents just thought it was her imagination until they themselves experienced something unnatural. Almost every night my mom's bed would shake as if it was alive and having a seizure. One night it lasted so long and didn't stop when my mom called my grandma into her room to see for herself. She then believed my mom from that point on.
Just last year we found out their home was built over an old Indian Cemetery. That explains why strange events kept occurring. My grandparents and mom along with her brother experienced many things in that house for decades. For some reason the spirits continued to scare my family. They were tired of it so decided to get the house baptized and see where things go from there. After it was baptized everything stopped happening, as if they weren't lost spirits wondering about anymore. Upon hearing the news that only my grandparents live in their house relief rushed down from head to toe.
I'm' well aware things are now normal because I no longer have that chill run down my back, it is still creepy to think below my feet lies a burial, dozens of bodies buried within the cold dirt. To this day I'm horrified of ghost or an evil spirit of some sort. Especially with the movies that come out these days, it adds to my collection of fear. When I visit my grandparents now I don't necessarily tend to freak out apposed to before but an anxious not n my stomach tightens as I walk down that hallway.
We often visited my mother's parents because we are extremely close to them, having seen them everyday of our childhood. Just a two years ago I found out that their house was infested with ghosts and I wasn't just imagining it. Not helping my phobia with evil spirits, finding out that the house we basically lived at was haunted was one of the scariest moments of my life. My mom began to tell me the horrible experiences with the supernatural, as a young girl. It was at that moment that was most frightening to me when it all became so real. It wasn't my imagination from the scary, popcorn throwing movies or the late night slumber party's stories, but it was reality.
Although I was extremely scared I begged for more stories. She began to go into great detail about how a man from the 1900's dressed in a suit along with a cane and a tall hat sitting on his head would came into her bedroom and stand there just breathing over her. From time to time the man would return but her parents never believed her. Sounding ridiculous, her parents just thought it was her imagination until they themselves experienced something unnatural. Almost every night my mom's bed would shake as if it was alive and having a seizure. One night it lasted so long and didn't stop when my mom called my grandma into her room to see for herself. She then believed my mom from that point on.
Just last year we found out their home was built over an old Indian Cemetery. That explains why strange events kept occurring. My grandparents and mom along with her brother experienced many things in that house for decades. For some reason the spirits continued to scare my family. They were tired of it so decided to get the house baptized and see where things go from there. After it was baptized everything stopped happening, as if they weren't lost spirits wondering about anymore. Upon hearing the news that only my grandparents live in their house relief rushed down from head to toe.
I'm' well aware things are now normal because I no longer have that chill run down my back, it is still creepy to think below my feet lies a burial, dozens of bodies buried within the cold dirt. To this day I'm horrified of ghost or an evil spirit of some sort. Especially with the movies that come out these days, it adds to my collection of fear. When I visit my grandparents now I don't necessarily tend to freak out apposed to before but an anxious not n my stomach tightens as I walk down that hallway.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Mimi=Happy moment :]
I just got home when I saw something small move in my uncle's truck. It was nine 'o clock on May 31, 2009 as the streetlight illuminated a little black thing jumping around the back seat. I asked my uncle what was moving in the back and he just smiled as he went to his car. What happened next made me the happiest girl for the rest of my life (until it "leaves", that is).
Just as my uncle opened the car door, a little creature with small legs and a long body jumped out and ran to me. It was a dog (a mix of a chihuahua, dachsund, or German shepard?---to this day, my family is still unable to determine its kind)! It was a black, tan, and white dog with a purple collar and she had the cutest eyes and face in the whole wide world! When she greeted me, her smile made me laugh as she wagged her tail exuberantly. My uncle asked if I wanted to keep her as an early birthday present (my birthday was the next day). She was healthy and up to date with all her shots. I immediately looked at my dad, knowing that this was my first time I ever had to take care of a dog. He said it was okay as long as I looked after it. Then, the little girl inside of me squealed with joy as I played with my newfound friend.
My uncle also took out a bed, tug-o-war rope, dog food, and a food and water bowl from his truck as I played with her. I asked him how old she was and he said that she just turned two. When I asked what her name was, he simply said, "Mimi".
That night, Mimi came with us to her new home. Throughout the whole ride (it was a 40 minute drive), Mimi slept on my lap as we both happily drifted off to sleep. As I slept, I dreamt of having lots of fun with Mimi and hoped that she dreamt of the same thing.
Just as my uncle opened the car door, a little creature with small legs and a long body jumped out and ran to me. It was a dog (a mix of a chihuahua, dachsund, or German shepard?---to this day, my family is still unable to determine its kind)! It was a black, tan, and white dog with a purple collar and she had the cutest eyes and face in the whole wide world! When she greeted me, her smile made me laugh as she wagged her tail exuberantly. My uncle asked if I wanted to keep her as an early birthday present (my birthday was the next day). She was healthy and up to date with all her shots. I immediately looked at my dad, knowing that this was my first time I ever had to take care of a dog. He said it was okay as long as I looked after it. Then, the little girl inside of me squealed with joy as I played with my newfound friend.
My uncle also took out a bed, tug-o-war rope, dog food, and a food and water bowl from his truck as I played with her. I asked him how old she was and he said that she just turned two. When I asked what her name was, he simply said, "Mimi".
That night, Mimi came with us to her new home. Throughout the whole ride (it was a 40 minute drive), Mimi slept on my lap as we both happily drifted off to sleep. As I slept, I dreamt of having lots of fun with Mimi and hoped that she dreamt of the same thing.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Hearts:)
BEEP…BEEP…BEEP…
I turned to face the heart monitor in amazement. I closely examined the rigid hills and slopes of the patient’s vitals; every BEEP and slope was a sign of life. The room was filled with a wide range of intelligent minds dressed from head to toe in blue scrubs: a heart surgeon, an anesthesiologist, a technician, a couple of medical students, several nurses, and there was me. I stood in the corner of the room as the constant BEEP…BEEP…BEEP played in the background, in awe of everything around me; from the cellophane floors to the bright surgical lights to the chatter of the medical students. I turned once again to witness the gifted hands of Dr. Vongtama making magic with the sharp, shiny scalpel.
BEEP…BEEP…BEEP.
Dr. Vongtama, with the utmost confidence, precisely made an incision on the epidermis of his patient’s chest. Five slow minutes later, the inside of patient’s chest was completely exposed.
My jaw dropped to the floor, I was in awe; like a little kid who just saw the Easter Bunny and Santa Clause having a tea party in his dining room.
BOOM…BOOM,BOOM…BOOM, BOOM,BOOM…
I examined the fist-sized organ that beat in irregular rhythm; this was no valentine’s day heart.
BOOM, BOOM.
Dr. Vongtama smiled at my amazement and asked, “What do you think?” As if my expression wasn’t enough, I said, “Beyond amazing, better than magic”. Dr. Vongtama motioned for me to come closer to touch the fragile, beating, organ. With the gentleness of an angel, I reached over with the latex gloves that clothed my hands, and lightly touched the heart.
BOOM, BOOM…BOOM, BOOM.
This time, the heavy beats came from my heart; I was enthralled, yet nervous.
I could tell this heart needed to be repaired back to rhythmic sync, so I stepped back and let the magician do his work.
BEEP…BEEP…BEEP..
As Dr. Vongtama worked carefully on the heart, the nurses, medical students, and even Dr. Vongtama himself held casual conversation and even made jokes; as if they were at happy hour at T.G.I Friday’s. I was shocked to witness this, because if I were in a room full of people, conducting open-heart surgery, while a patient’s life was on the line, the last thing on my mind would be jokes about a blonde in a bar. The room was no longer a scary surgical facility, it became a happy, optimistic social hour. It surprised me how Dr. Vongtama was able to carry a light and happy mood, while able to fully focus on fixing the heart. I could no longer hear the BEEP…BEEP…BEEP. The beeps were distant mouse peeps, out-sounded by the laughter and conversation that filled the room.
Once again Dr. Vongtama motioned for me to come closer. He held out this small, light rounded device called a pacemaker. This tiny device would be embedded into the patient’s heart to help regulate the heart beat by sending electrical impulses to the heart, every time the heart beat is out of rhythm. Such a simple technology, yet it extraordinarily saves lives. Dr. Vongtama carefully worked for another hour installing the pacemaker as the whole room continued to watch and socialize.
The surgery was a complete success! I thanked Dr. Vongtama for the experience with a tight hug and a smile and asked, “Doctor, what is the best piece of advice you can give me for my future endeavors?” He thought for a second and replied, “It must have surprised you that we were having fun in the surgery room huh?” I nodded, he continued, “Well, you know open-heart surgery can be nerve-racking and scary, but we made the most out of it and it ended up successful. The best advice I can give is to make the most out of every situation and don’t forget to have fun. After all, you live once and I’m sure your heart is happier and healthier when you’re enjoying, rather than stressing”. I agreed and told him, “Doctor, you really inspire me”. He smiled once again and said, “Anyone can fix hearts, aside from the studying and training, good people, the laughter and the enjoyment that comes out of it, makes it the easiest job in the world”.
I laughed, BOOM…BOOM, my heart was filled with happiness.
I turned to face the heart monitor in amazement. I closely examined the rigid hills and slopes of the patient’s vitals; every BEEP and slope was a sign of life. The room was filled with a wide range of intelligent minds dressed from head to toe in blue scrubs: a heart surgeon, an anesthesiologist, a technician, a couple of medical students, several nurses, and there was me. I stood in the corner of the room as the constant BEEP…BEEP…BEEP played in the background, in awe of everything around me; from the cellophane floors to the bright surgical lights to the chatter of the medical students. I turned once again to witness the gifted hands of Dr. Vongtama making magic with the sharp, shiny scalpel.
BEEP…BEEP…BEEP.
Dr. Vongtama, with the utmost confidence, precisely made an incision on the epidermis of his patient’s chest. Five slow minutes later, the inside of patient’s chest was completely exposed.
My jaw dropped to the floor, I was in awe; like a little kid who just saw the Easter Bunny and Santa Clause having a tea party in his dining room.
BOOM…BOOM,BOOM…BOOM, BOOM,BOOM…
I examined the fist-sized organ that beat in irregular rhythm; this was no valentine’s day heart.
BOOM, BOOM.
Dr. Vongtama smiled at my amazement and asked, “What do you think?” As if my expression wasn’t enough, I said, “Beyond amazing, better than magic”. Dr. Vongtama motioned for me to come closer to touch the fragile, beating, organ. With the gentleness of an angel, I reached over with the latex gloves that clothed my hands, and lightly touched the heart.
BOOM, BOOM…BOOM, BOOM.
This time, the heavy beats came from my heart; I was enthralled, yet nervous.
I could tell this heart needed to be repaired back to rhythmic sync, so I stepped back and let the magician do his work.
BEEP…BEEP…BEEP..
As Dr. Vongtama worked carefully on the heart, the nurses, medical students, and even Dr. Vongtama himself held casual conversation and even made jokes; as if they were at happy hour at T.G.I Friday’s. I was shocked to witness this, because if I were in a room full of people, conducting open-heart surgery, while a patient’s life was on the line, the last thing on my mind would be jokes about a blonde in a bar. The room was no longer a scary surgical facility, it became a happy, optimistic social hour. It surprised me how Dr. Vongtama was able to carry a light and happy mood, while able to fully focus on fixing the heart. I could no longer hear the BEEP…BEEP…BEEP. The beeps were distant mouse peeps, out-sounded by the laughter and conversation that filled the room.
Once again Dr. Vongtama motioned for me to come closer. He held out this small, light rounded device called a pacemaker. This tiny device would be embedded into the patient’s heart to help regulate the heart beat by sending electrical impulses to the heart, every time the heart beat is out of rhythm. Such a simple technology, yet it extraordinarily saves lives. Dr. Vongtama carefully worked for another hour installing the pacemaker as the whole room continued to watch and socialize.
The surgery was a complete success! I thanked Dr. Vongtama for the experience with a tight hug and a smile and asked, “Doctor, what is the best piece of advice you can give me for my future endeavors?” He thought for a second and replied, “It must have surprised you that we were having fun in the surgery room huh?” I nodded, he continued, “Well, you know open-heart surgery can be nerve-racking and scary, but we made the most out of it and it ended up successful. The best advice I can give is to make the most out of every situation and don’t forget to have fun. After all, you live once and I’m sure your heart is happier and healthier when you’re enjoying, rather than stressing”. I agreed and told him, “Doctor, you really inspire me”. He smiled once again and said, “Anyone can fix hearts, aside from the studying and training, good people, the laughter and the enjoyment that comes out of it, makes it the easiest job in the world”.
I laughed, BOOM…BOOM, my heart was filled with happiness.
"And now, for the moment you have all been waiting for..."
Hair teased, heeled boots, freestyle down, G-Shock up. The legacy began; a new storm was approaching.
Not to be cocky, but our name had gotten around. “Poppin’ Cherries... ? Sounds scandalous… I want to see.” That evening we were swaggin’ it out on our way to the theater: windows down, rollin’ deep, slaps blasting and bass bumping down the parking lot strip. We got out of the car, and anyone from a mile away would’ve already known: PC had arrived.
Sooner than later, curtain call approached. The group and I wandered in the dark, beaming with light in our eyes behind the unlit, dark velvety drapes. “This is it. We’re back on,” we thought together as we huddled to calm our nerves.
We had come a long way; somewhere in between the mini-competitions, late-night spaghetti, and hours of learning together, I fell in love with the people holding tightly onto me and the journey us five took towards the moment we all felt a calling for. The strenuous practice days, long nights, and frustrations and smiles alike pulled us together… as a family.
We worked for the place we stood in. Together. This was it. It was our moment.
Nothing but the announcer’s voice was audible as we stood in formation, guarded by only the dark velvety barrier between us and the waiting spectators. We were more than pumped up. Our hearts pounded louder than the cheers that preceded them. The world must have ceased to rotate. Seconds ticked by like eternity. The dead silence soon became the loudest thing I’ve ever heard.
The lights cut out completely, but our minds were solely on the spotlight. The curtain rose in silence. Time stopped cold, but my thoughts heated up fast. It all came down to the next four minutes. The last four weeks of my new family’s work all channeled into this.
My mind raced while my heart overflowed.
“Talent show? Well… It’s about time we tear it up tonight.”
KHS Talent Show: Poppin' Cherries
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Happiest Moment:)
Eating is a joyous moment when you let out all of your stress and just eat it out. (And then die from obesity). Still, I like to eat a lot, especially fast food. One meal though, was life-changing. It all started when I walked into a restaurant; mexican music playing in the backgroud, a scrumptious smell coming from the back kitchen, and plants all around making me feel like I was on an adventure. The cashiers were busy with customers so I waited patiently in line looking up at the menu board deciding on what to order. As the customer left to wait for his order, I came up to the counter and jumped a little so the cashier would know that I was there. The cashier smiled and asked me what I would like to order. It took a while but I eventually came to an answer and placed my order. As soon as I got my order, I ripped open the wrapping and found the golden, crisp, mouth-watering.... crunch wrap. I took a bite out of it and my patience had been paid off well. I had never tasted anything this good other than hot cheetos but that's another story for another time.:)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)