Memorable Experience

My Memorable Experience I have something to tell you There was a pause, her ghost was worrying. Its your grandfather, hes passed a appearance. I was stunned the grandfather who had always been there for me was no longer there. I could feel someone grinding their fist by dint of my stomach the trouble oneself was unbearable. For the first quantify ever I was woolly-headed for words. Tears started to form in my eyes. I could not contain my emotion. All my memories of my grandfather seemed to rush through my head as I sat in my room isolated from the breathe of the world.I had been asked to write a lecturing for the funeral it seemed a daunting task at first exclusively as my emotions took everyplace, i found I was able to express exactly what I was feeling. The speech read My grandfather was a existence of few words who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life a bet on the horses and the odd bit of chocolate. I ignore still taste the Polos that he would employ me whe neer I came to see him and as I stand here before you today, I k at one time that every-time I open a pack of Polos, my grandfather result always be in the bet on of my mind.As a junior child, he would often take me to work with him, down to the school or Lethams farm where he would teach me active birds eggs, crops and the types of plants and flowers. Pleasure was found in the simple things that I (and the rest of my brothers and sisters) did with him and his country life. I would often go into the back door at Mitchell Avenue where my granddad worked to a familiar scene and the smell of Old Holborn lingering in the air. The smell of warm pastry hung in the air as my nana would always be baking and listening to Radio Two and cookeryaring granddads lunch for when he came in from work.We thought they were in lightible and would always be there now their bungalow stands empty as a shell. The pass time I saw my grandfather, he was sitting up in his hospital c blur draining his floral s hirt, looking as eccentric as Spike Milligan and with a familiar twinkle in his eye. Thats how Ill remember him. The funeral was held Becoming A Dancer? ByJennifer M. , East Providence, RI Email me when Un. contri hardlyes work Standing in front of the mirror one day, I came to the harsh realization that I fell short of the requirements of my h anyucination. The reproval that stared back was of a skinny brown-haired girl who stood a mere five feet tall.My entire life had been ab away dedication and striving to be the exceed dancer in my studio. Id always had elaborate dreams and high aspirations. I never noticed how hard it faculty be to achieve something that you really want. Most hatful spend their whole lives searching for their calling or their nitch, but Ive faren that I was born to be a dancer since the first time I stepped into Thoroughly Modern Dance Studio at one and a fractional days of age. Ive devoted sixteen years of my life to helping my dream come true, and overly taken time out of my personal life to be a dance teacher at my studio.Last summer I be what is called an audition class in Boston taught by a highly respected Broadway dancer. At this seminar he explained the procedures for provoketing into a dance company or production. maculation I was listening and taking notes, I was thinking that I certainly had the experience, but there was one area in which I didnt quite a measure up. He informed us that at most auditions all dancers under 5 feet 6 inches are automatically eliminated or simply overlooked. He said that most casting directors are looking for the stereotyped dancer with long legs, a long neck and a size one waist.Standing half a foot under this height, I tangle my heart drop to the floor. It really is hard to listen to someone basically tell you Sorry, but youve been running(a) really hard for sixteen years for nothing, so find a juvenile dream. Unfortunately, it just doesnt work that way. Dancing isnt just some hobby for me its more like an addiction. My complete heart and soul are exhibited in every step. done dance I find a sense of pride and blessedness that I dont think anyone could understand or appreciate. To have all that Ive ever wanted instantly shot down created a sick feeling in my stomach.Furthermore, I knew that at that moment I could do one of two things. I could settle for a second choice, or I could commit myself to the visionary uphill battle to come. Well, Ive never been spangn as a person who gives up easily, so Ive been working even harder to make up for in adroitness what I lack in inches Nevertheless, it really doesnt matter how high the odds are against me, for I go out rise above them. Its time for me to put my schnozzle to the grindstone because, despite what anyone sees, the only direction my life is going is up.Whether I end up becoming a professional Broadway dancer or open a local dance studio is irrelevant, because I will do one or the other by choice, not because I wasnt qualified. Im comforted in sharp Im not alone in this battle. My mentor, Lorie Bernier, who stands at 5 feet 1 inch and has taught me everything I know, always inspiring me by saying You have to believe you can reach the stars before you can actually touch one of them. Failing advantagefully ByCandace M. ,Berea,KY More by this author Email me when Candace M. contributes work pick up Credit Hailey J. , Lake Oswego, ORMy day in the insolate had arrived my magnum opus would be revealed. I had just delivered a memorized speech that I had labored over for weeks, and I was about to learn how the panel judged my perfor homosexualce. The polite but sparse audience leaned forward in their f aged(prenominal)ing chairs. A hush fell across the room. The drum turn over (in my mind, anyway). The challenger organizer announced the third-place winner. Alas, the name was not mine. Then he read the second-place winner, and once again it was not me. At snuff it, the mome nt of truth came. all I was about to bask in the warmth of victory or rue the last several months spent preparing.While neither of these came to pass, my heart felt walking(prenominal) to the latter. Losing is a part of life, and I have dealt with the emotional baggage that travels shotgun with it on more than one occasion. However, it was an indescribably underwhelming feeling to drive 200 miles rape trip, get up obscenely early on a freezing Saturday morning, and yet still finish fourth out of four contestants. after(prenominal) capital of Nebraska lost the 1858 Illinois Senate race, he reportedly said, I felt like the 12-year-old boy who stubbed his toe. I was too big to cry and it hurt too bad to laugh. Oh yeah, I could relate. I had spent many hours in front of a computer and in libraries doing research for the Lincoln Bicentennial Speech Contest. As I pored over several biographies, one notion stood out Lincoln was handed many sound defeats, but he never allowed them to (p ermanently) hinder his spirit or ambition. While I believe many history lessons can be applied to modern life, I hadnt considered the agony of defeat as a historically valuable learning experience. I never dreamed I could relate to Lincoln A president no less, and the greatest at that.I thought failing successfully was a very appropriate topic, given the many letdowns Lincoln experienced, and so this became the title of my speech. after not placing in the first year of the speech contest, I really wanted to compete again. Lincoln had been the epitome of persistence, so I was not going to give up on a contest about a historic individual who did not give up I reworked my speech for the following year, and while I did not come in last, again I did not place. Some days youre the dog, and some days youre the hydrant, and this was definitely a hydrant day that brought me down for a while.I couldnt accept the fact that I had failed twice in something that I had worked so hard on, until I contemplated the individual whom Id spent so much time learning about. Never mind the lost prize money (ouch, major) and praise (ouch, minor) I had learned, really learned, about a great man who had experienced failure and disappointment, and had many chances to give up. We remember Lincoln because he didnt take this route he didnt throw lavish pity-parties, and he persevered to become, according to many, the greatest American president.While I did not earn monetary awards as a result of this contest, I did gain a new perspective. Through learning about Lincoln, I discovered that I can fail successfully, and that it is possible to glean applicable wisdom from the lives of those who have come before us. Now, whenever Im faced with a setback, I remember what Lincoln said after his unsuccessful 1854 Senate race The path was worn and slippery. My foot slipped from under me, whang the other out of the way, but I recovered and said to myself, Its a slip and not a fall. Not Just Any el ectrical storm Unknown Email me when Un. ontributes work go through Credit Heather H. , LaHarpe, IL Discuss the greatestchallenge that you have faced or expect to face As the sun melted intothe distant horizon, I saw the thickening of the ominous clouds overhead. Therain began to pelt the roof of my old house, but nestled in my canopy bed underall my covers, I felt safe. Flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder shook thehouse and tears began to roll down my cheeks. This was not just any thunderstorm,it was a moment in my life when I struggled to aliveness my faith and hope. Ispotted my mothers face, eyes ringed with smudged mascara.I peered up at herand knew something was very wrong. Its Dad and me, she began. We have decided to separate for a while until we can work thingsout. only youre not getting a divorce, are you? Iquickly asked. She shook her head, but I knew things would never be thesame. Soon after, my dad and I packed our bags and moved in with mygrandparents. He tried so hard to be strong, but I could see that he was feelinga lot of pain. He read me books to try to help me fall asleep at night. Iremember one was about a single dad and how things around the house weredifferent without a mom.He even tried, unsuccessfully, to put my hair up in anon-bumpy ponytail. My dad helped me to develop my faith, and without it, I donot think I could have make it through this difficult time in my life. He taughtme the Lords Prayer and we recited it together every night. But as much as hetried, he was not my mother. My life before the separation was socarefree, and I was content. The memories of the three of us vacationing inFlorida smiling, laughing, and spending time as a family are painful, andwill last a lifetime. How could my life change so fast?I felt like I was on aroller coaster, and as much as my parents tried to comfort me, I felt alone. Theonly hope I had was my faith in God. I do not remember how long it wasuntil my parents announced they wer e getting a divorce. This did not come as acomplete shock because I suspected when they separated it would be forever. Ittook many months of arguing in apostrophize for my parents to settle that they wouldshare parenting. I believe God blessed me because I have had an opportunity toknow both parents. I often wonder how my life would have been if myparents had worked things out, but I know I would not be the same strong person Iam today.Struggling through this rough time, I learned to put my faith in Godand never to lose hope. I thank my parents for allowing me to learn from theirmistakes, and hope that I will not make the same ones. Ultimately, I had to makea choice to move on with my life, or dwell on my past. I thank God for all thewonderful gifts he has bestowed upon me. My parents have both remarriedand are happy. I have two new parents, whom I hold as dear as my own. I am trulyglad to see both my parents happy. Although I still wonder what my life mighthave been like, I never wish to change where I amtoday. ***Asthe sun rose, sunlight peered into my bedroom and I could hear birds singing. Isat up in bed, relieved that the thunderstorm was finally over. I felt changed. Slowly, I opened my window, noticing the beautiful tulips blooming and the softspring breeze blowing against the trees. Suddenly I thought, I survived thestorm I am ready to face the next one after all, today is another day. One Typical solar day Unknown Email me when Un. contributes work role Credit Amanda S. , Phoenix, AZ Dragging my tired self to my console one Tuesdayafternoon, I picked up my books and shoved them into my bag.I pulled out mysports bag, dreading cross-country class period and thinking of all I had to do thatnight write an English paper, do a practice math SAT and study for chemistry. Thats when a cheery voice broke in, Hey, Katie, dont forget about ourSPAC performance tonight at the hospital. See you at cardinal Thevoice belonged to Adam, the president of Students in the Performing Arts for theCommunity. He and a few of our schools symphonic band members (including me)started the club because we wanted to put some of our time and talents back intothe community by performing at hospitals and nursing homes.At that moment,however, I saw the performance as just one more thing to add to my list. Iarrived at the hospital with my flute in one hand and my chemistry book in theother, hoping to sneak in a little studying. I walked through the slew doorsinto a cream-colored hall and saw an audience of older people in wheelchairs. Some were sleeping, others sat with blank stares, but a few looked joyful. Thosewere the faces, rosy with excitement, that make me smile. In their midst Ispotted a thin, pale girl who was no more than 13. Thick black braces engulfedher tiny legs, and I wondered why someone so young was stuck in thisplace.Toward the end of the hour, after Bach and show tunes, my friendSarah asked if anyone had any requests. The girl raised her arm and asked if shecould sing My Heart Will Go On. Sarah happily invited her to sharethe microphone and the girl hobbled past the sea of wheelchairs. When she andSarah began to sing, I noticed the girls cheeks became pinker and her eyesshined. At that moment, I forgot my homework and remembered the true meaning ofSPAC improving the quality of life for others. After the performance weall talked with the girl and discovered she wants to be a singer.She told usthat singing with Sarah had helped her remember her goal. As she spoke, shelooked down, self-consciously, at her thin legs. Then, she asked if we could allget together for a picture so she could remember this night and never give up onher dream. I stayed longer than Id planned. I was amazed by what one hourof my time could do help someone go from feeling like a prisoner in a hospitalto feeling like Celine Dion performing at a concert. That night, I lingered atthe dinner table with my family. I also called a friend I had not ta lked to in awhile.I did not do too well on the chemistry test the next day, but it was justone test, and I knew I could take it again. There could be no retake for myexperience that night at the hospital, except the one Ill always replay in myheart. Success Unknown Email me when Un. contributes work Image Credit Michael G. , Glocester, RI Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you none otherthan the one and only Nick A. screamed the announcer into themicrophone, in a vain exertion to be heard over the eruption of cheers from theoverflowing auditorium. As I stood, brimming with pride, the noise grew to adeafening level.I walked slowly toward the podium, my grin stiring with eachstep. The announcer shook my hand, the principal slapdashped me on the back, and as Istepped up to the podium, I looked up at a gigantic banner blazing forth mysuccess. It read Nice Guy Builds Ramp Well, it probablywould never relegate that way. Nice Guy Builds Ramp is not exactly acommon honor at an awards cerem ony. The fact is I am, for the most part, a niceguy, and I did, in fact, build a ramp. And here is another fact the truereward did not come from any ceremony but rather because I built it for someone Idid not even know, and it made a world of difference to her.She was an olderwoman, perhaps in her 70s. I never found out what was wrong with her, but she hada gigantic oxygen tank in her simply furnished living room, and she waswheelchair-bound. The whole business began when I participated in a summerprogram where teens from all over come together to do projects for people who aretoo old or poor to get them done. With other kids, I was assigned to build a rampfor this lady who had not been out of her house in seven years. At first Icould not believe I had been talked into going to a work camp, but I soon found Ihad never felt so ethical or had so much fun.My crew and I really bonded, with thiscommon goal of helping a woman who was only seeing the world from her window. Instantly, our group seemed to know each other. Lindsey was tall andathletic with really stretchy skin she could use to launch pencils from her knee,a talent she often demonstrated at lunch. Matt was a year younger and muchshorter, his crew cut not helping him much in the height department. We came tocall him the Handy Man because he was never without super-cargo pants that heldmore tools than seemed humanly possible. Michelle had great,super-precisely braided hair that looked as if it had taken hours to do.I wasreally impressed until one of the braids fell out. Oh, shoot, shesaid, and tied it back in. My whole world came crashing down when I realized thebraids were synthetic and that lots of girls put out them. As our workprogressed, we were so involved that we became impervious to the attacks ofpassersby who stopped to ask what we were doing and could not believe we wereworking for free. The big payoff came when our lady rolleddown the ramp for the first time. I will never forget her tears. For the firsttime in seven years she collected her mail herself. We all gave her a gigantichug.Still in a state of amazement, she invited us to visit anytime, claiming shehad bargain of soda. And as she thanked us over and over again, Ill select it Iteared up. Building a ramp is not the only thing I was ever praised for. Iwon a bronzy medal in the Rockland Final Fencing Tournament junior year, so Iknow what it is like to have people clapping when my name is called. But I alsoknow that structure a ramp was a much greater success than any medal I could everwin. All the Things Im Not Unknown Email me when Un. contributes work Image Credit Samantha P. , Rochdale, MATo look at me, Im just a pretty boy, puton Earth for the amusement of bullies who are jealous of my appearance, andcoveted as a boyfriend. Now, if thats true, I must also be conceited(that goes without saying) and pig-headed, too I must think Im Gods gift towomen. Im really just a pretty face, I dont have much else going fo r me. Godswitched brains for dimples, I guess. I bounce from woman to woman Im ashameless heartbreaker. Yet, I have been in a monogamous relationship for about ayear now. My GPAs a solid B+, high when I apply myself. Im creative Iwrite, I read, I play Dungeons & Dragons. perhaps Im a nerd. I read atleast 75 comics a month, usually more. I have a favorite writer, Ive read morethan the required reading for English, and more than five books without pictures. I play role-playing games. I know what HP and THAC0 stand for, and while Ivenever personally lost touch with reality, Ive played with people who have. Imyour resident fanboy, and own six different Spider-Man T-shirts. I know whokilled Jason Todd (I own the actual issues and the trade paperback), and Imalways ready to argue over which was the best comic series ever,Watchmen or The Dark Knight Returns. I play with action depicts. In fact, Ive built an entire city in my room, and when no ones around,I think the figures talk (I do a great Christopher Reeve impression). I dohomework. My I. Q. is more than the change in my pocket. I didnt need acalculator for the SATs and I never took a prep course. That said, Improbably antisocial. I shy away from sports and physical confrontation. Iveprobably never had a date, and I probably spend all day online ( by chance nights,too). Im probably on the intelligence informationpaper staff, maybe even class president. Well, Ihave a girlfriend, Im really vocal and I only go online for research.Plus, Ican bench 200 pounds and squat twice that much and I do play sports. Maybe Im a protagonist. I play a sport for every season, three for the sole purpose ofbecoming better at the main one. Yes, the world is molded like a football, andorbit is made possible by the powerful arm of Testaverdi. AC/DCs the best bandto get you pumped, and six straight losses is the best way to bring you down. Oneof my favorite movies is Braveheart, and althoughGladiator was good, it doesnt even come clo se. I want to be likeRudy, and I never want anything that happened in The Program tohappen to me.Ive seen things men could never show their girlfriends I can findthe locker room by smell alone and I know for a fact that mold can grow oncotton. Ive heard Welcome to the Jungle 986 times this year (andits only April). I must run out of socks and underwear before I wash them, andeven hence I go commando for a week. Knowing this, you might think I pickon small kids or hang out in large groups. You might think I have a very bigbody with a little head. Youd assume that I use the words dude andcool constantly out of context (which I do). But that cant be right. I mean, I can spell football and I only fight if necessary.Heck, sometimes Ieven use metaphors. Maybe Im one of those artistic guys. I have writtenat least one piece of any type of writing you can think of, and I enjoyed it all(except straight news articles, I really hate writing those). Im going on myeleventh art credit. I took a fashion class and am not ashamed to admit it. Ihave a sensitive side I cry during Bambi. I can appreciate theamount of time it takes to hand draw a couple hundred flowers. I know the fourkinds of self-portraits one without looking in a mirror, one looking in amirror, one drawing from a picture and one of your hand. I know greenscomplement, and exactly what ROY G.BIV stands for. I understand Shakespeare, butnot a word of The Scarlet Letter. When essay assignments are announced, Im theonly one who smiles, and whether you like it or not, I think this essay ishilarious. So, you would figure Id be pretty quiet. You know, I cant speakwell, so my writing will be my voice and such. Nope, Im very loud. I talk andargue and sing. Maybe Im one of those choir boys. I was the only freshmanin my school ever to get a solo, I was in the elite Florida Singing Sons, Iveperformed at nine Sea Worlds, I know all eight versions of the HallelujahChorus and I have two medals for excellence from NYSSMA.But thats notall Im also the lead singer of my very own spunk rock band. Its been one yearand weve had 447 different names. I know why Kurt Cobain shot himself, and Ihope I die before I grow old. I own at least ten Misfits T-shirts, and pants thatsay Hey, Ho Lets Go on the crotch. I own leather pants and astudded bracelet. Im currently waiting for McFarlane to wise up and make aDexter Holland figure, and I dont care what your definition of punk is, GreenDay is good ample for me.By now Im sure youre not assuming anything, and Imsure you suspect that I also do many things to contradict this cliche, like I ownan Eminem repose and Rod Stewarts greatest hits. And while I do have a few bodypiercings, none of them is life-threatening. Well, pigs can fly. Hell hasfrozen over. The world is coming to an end. Because the good-looking, faithful,singing, drawing and writing, jock fanboy is roaming the earth. They said itcould never happen, but I guess they were wrong. I make no excusesfor mysel f and pay no mind to your complaints or opinions. Im everything thatIm not, and I love it.A depot Unknown Email me when Un. contributes work Image Credit Elizabeth B. , Norwich, CT Builtof gray stone and situated on a small plateau in the optic of rolling hills ismy grandmothers three-story farmhouse. Sunken into the land, it fits like aperfect piece in the puzzle of the checkered landscape. This housefostered comfort and happiness. I trusted that it would always be there, and feltsafe in discriminating I could always go back and revel in its character and uniqueness. It was my mothers home. It was my grandmothers house. We drove up thegravel driveway and parked under the overhang.For weeks, my mom had been tryingto get me to go. The settlement was at the end of the week, and I finally gavein. Only five stepping stones away from the road was the door. Massivepine trees, only half as tall when I was born and even smaller when my mother wasyoung, shaded the front of the house and b locked the wrap-around porch on thesecond level. My mom unlocked the door with the key shed had for years. Adraft of the scent inside hit me like a slap in the face. I let it resonate in mybrain as the smell triggered memories. Boxes belonging to strangershad invaded the living room.In the kitchen the refrigerator had been ripped out,the furniture removed. All I could see were the images of Christmas Day duringthe past 17 years. I stepped onto the porch. From the left, the streetslithered through the hills to the front door and continued on to the right. Withone breath I inhaled the sweet pine scent from the trees and looked at thesetting sun. Up the road was my cousins house. Between the two homes wehad dwelled in days of simple play. In the halcyon times of summer, our bathingsuits became second skins, our bikes second sets of legs. We spent comfortablehours in the pastoral landscape, knowing the day was ours.I took one last lookat the view. I didnt want to leave. I didnt want it to be just amemory. My grandfather walked into the house carrying a camera. Muscles oflabor, skin of leather years of hard work were in this once six-foot-tall oldman. His height had shrunk while his belly had swelled. My mom anxiouslysnapped a picture of her old bedroom. The house was retained in its lustre forthat frozen moment. My grandfather put his strong hand, a hand worthy of farming,on my shoulder. Flash. For one last time I was part of these walls. I putthe place to rest in my mind, trying to swallow the lump in my throat.As I saidgood-bye to an era of my life the chapter of my childhood my eyes welled withtears. Closing the white metal door for the last time, I carried with me a senseof security as strong as those old stone walls. Success at Last Unknown Email me when Un. contributes work Image Credit Jason B. , Philadelphia, PA It always looked so easy when my dad did it. He cutsmoothly, his shoulder leaning so close to the pissing that his body lookedparallel to the cool glass. I had been itching to be free of my yellow trainingskis and ski on my own. I wanted to learn to fly over the water just like my dad,but water skiing isnt as easy as it looks.I had been trying for almost a month. First I tried two skis, but my seven-year-old stick legs werent strong enough tocontrol them, so Dad suggested simplifying things by using one ski. Simplify? Slalom ski? My first attempts at slalom skiing were disasters, but Irefused to give up. When we took a family trip to a lake, I couldnt wait to tryagain. After eating a big lunch on the deck overlooking the water, we went outfor a ski. I was the last to go. I reluctantly slipped into the foreboding waterthis lake was a lot bigger and rougher than the one back home. The frothy waterswirled around me and I was terrified.How can I get up in this mess of whitecapswhen I cant even get up in my calm little lake? I wondered. I crouched in thewater, pulled my legs to my chest and waited. After four attempts Iaccepte d defeat but only for that outing. I was determined not to giveup. The next morning my dads friend suggested another way of getting meup, and I said, certain(a) I would try anything to get the chance to ski. He had me sit on the lower portion of the dock, skis in the water and rope inhand as he pulled the ride away. As I sat, I thought about falling like an anchorinto the dark water and getting splinters in my butt. Ready? he asked. yeah I replied, shakily. Iheard the boat roar and my teeth clenched. I felt the rope gently tug my arms andsuddenly the cool air was tingling my legs and the water was split up to let methrough. I was doing it Success at last I couldnt wait to get home and showoff my new skill to my friends. It took seemingly endless gallons of waterup my nose and aching, sonorous arms, but now I can fly across the water almost aswell as my dad. I gained this confidence through persistence and courage -qualities I plan to apply to my life once I reach the big la ke of college andeven the ocean of real life.