xoathleteox

What are the greatest obstacles to the fulfillment of my dreams and goals?

My goal for this year, is to hopefully brake the girls’ shot put and discus records at my school.  I worked hard last year, and I missed the shot record by one foot!  Like all dreams and goals, obstacles get in the way.  When I go to important meets, I ‘physc’ myself out of throwing well.  When I watch warm-ups, I always think that everyone will throw farther than me.  I realize that this is just a problem that I need to solve.  I work on this by listening to music before I throw to get away from everything that’s going on.  Other obstacles that can get in the way when I throw is the competition.  Some girls attempt to get in your face, and try to make you think they’re better then they actually are.  One of my favorite quotes is, “If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks.  I’ve had them; everybody has had them.  But obstacles don’t have to stop you.  If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up.  Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” Michael Jordan, in my opinion, one of the best basketball players of all time said that.  He showed me that even though obstacles get in the way of what you want, you need to keep working to overcome those obstacles.  It also showed me that, nothing you want in life will come easily and you need to work towards your goals.

What would you do if you were not afraid?

This question was truly a hard one for me to answer.  It took a while, considering, I do not have many fears.  If I were not afraid, I would want to sleep under the stars in Central Park in New York City, NY.  I understand that Central Park is definitely not the best place to be after dark, and I think it would be an unforgettable experience.  The peace and tranquility of the sky and stars would be positively remarkable.  I would also want to climb Mt. Everest.  I’ve heard about the success stories of those who have climbed, and they said it was just amazing.  I can’t even imagine the feelings one must have when they are standing on top of the world; literally!  Finally, if I were not afraid, I would want to go sky diving.  I cannot imagine the rush one must feel when you are free falling.  In sixth grade, my teacher told us that he had been skydiving twice.  He also said that it is an unforgettable experience and that he was on an adrenalin rush for the next twenty four hours.  After hearing his stories and watching the video of him skydiving, it convinced me that this is something I would really want to experience.  It has always been a secret life long dream of mine to jump out of plane. 

Should students involved in extracurricular activities be tested for drugs?

I think that students involved in extracurricular activities should be tested for drugs.  Although many athletes understand the dangers of drug use, but that doesn’t stop them from being used in the school system and in the professional leauges.  Many kids have become addicted to drugs because there is no one there to help them stop.  If drug tests are placed in the school systems, more problems can be prevented before they occur.  Although I agree with drug testing, I do have some doubts about it.  For example, where is the funding going to come from?  If I had to guess, I’d say that the government will raise taxes.  In that case, our parents won’t be too happy.  If you have nothing to hide, then the drug testing won’t be a problem.  If you do have an addiction, it will help you out in the long run. 

I think that the first Amendment is the most important.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

I think that this the most important amendment because it explains what rights the people do have and what rights we don’t have.  It also represents how much freedom that we have in the country.  It gives us the right to freedom of speech, press and the right to asseble and petition the government if we don’t agree.

How did you spend your time differently?

Mom - We spent more time outside, doing different things.  We went to the library when we needed to research something for school, and you had to buy everything at the store.  There were no ‘online catalouges’.

Dad - We always needed to go to the store when we needed something.  When you wanted to hear the latest news, you needed to listen to the radio, watch the TV, or read the newspaper, and you need a CD player or a radio to listen to music.

Uncle - We had to go to the store to buy everything, which caused us to spend more time driving around around and wasting time.  We also needed to go to the library or use and encyclopedia to research.

What things were harder to do?

Mom - It was harder to purchase concert tickets, because you would have to drive to the venue and buy them at the box office.  It was harder to hear about breaking news, and communication was difficult.  We had no spare time to do anything, we were constantly running around and driving somewhere.

Dad - Getting the news was definitely hard.  Getting baseball standings was also difficult because you’d have to wait for them on ESPN, and getting driving directions.

Uncle - It was hard when you were trying to fix something and you could’nt find directions.  Also, having to drive around everywhere whenever you needed something.

What things were easier to do?

Mom - Spending time with your family was easier without computers.

Dad - I think that life is much easier now that we have the Internet.

Uncle - I believe that the Internet made life much easier for all of us.

How has it affected the way you live and work?

Mom - It makes communication between me and my co-workers much easier, rather than calling them, I can email or im them.  I also can work from home, which allows me to spend more time with my family and friends.

Dad - I don’t need to call the plumber, or anyone for that matter, I can pull up instructions on how to fix something.  I can also watch the Yankees play while I work.

Uncle - I can work, but at the same time, I can watch the Red Sox play.  I think that the Internet takes away from family time, because it keeps you busy, there are so many new things to do, or explore.

This is an example of Life Blogging.

I love playing sports, I’ve been playing for as long as I can remember.  And as I’m sure you know, everyone’s dream is to one day become great at the sport of your choosing.  Basketball was the sport for me.  This coming year will be my seventh year playing basketball.  Along with hard work, practice, games and friendships that will last a lifetime, is something no one will forget.  The pride you feel after you do something great for your team.  I’ve felt the pride before, multiple times.  But I can remember this one specific time, where I felt that pride, but I was also my team’s hero. 

About two years ago, my team and I were in the final game of the playoffs before the championship.  We were tied, and there was 5 minutes left in double overtime.  The referee called ’subs’ and I headed out on the court.  The other team took the ball down the court on a fast break and scored with ease.  We were now down by two points.  I felt so ashamed of myself.  How could I have let them score?  I shook my head and concentrated on the game, it wasn’t over yet.  My team-mate threw me the ball and I drove down the court without anyone guarding me.  Instead of going in for the easy lay-up, I stopped just feet from the half court line and shot the ball at the basket.  The crowds cheer quickly turned into a groan.  How could I have blown my chance?  We were going to lose, and it was all my fault.  I was brought back to reality when my team stormed me.  I then realized, the ball went in!  I had scored my first three pointer of my career and I put my team ahead by one point!  The rest of game all seemed to be a blur to me.  With strong defense, we were able to keep our lead and win the game.  After the final buzzer sound, my team stormed once again.  I was cheered for, and hugged, they started chanting my name.  A wide smile spread across my face and I felt like I was on top of the world.  For I, the girl who had taken impossible three point shots all season, took one when we needed it the most, and it went in! 

I will never forget that day, and how proud my team, my coach, and my family was of me.  Whenever I think that we’re going to lose, and there’s no hope, I think of that story.  It gives me the determination I need to carry on, and put my all into the game until the final buzzer.  I never used to believe this saying, until I lived it.  I now truly agree with, “It’s not over, until it’s over.”

On September 11th, 2oo1, I was in second grade.  Our teacher wouldn’t tell us right away what happened, but she did turn on the  news and let us hear about it.  When I knew for sure what was going on, I got very nervous because my mom’s New York office was in tower one of the World Trade Center.  That morning, she had told me she was going to work from the New York office, and get our rain check Yankee tickets from the night before. When I came home that day, I was relieved to know that my mom was ok, and that she hadn’t gone into the office in New York.  At dinner, we had a discussion on what went on the dreadful day.  I remember my mom telling me about how her friends were in the office when the planes hit.  Thankfully, none of them were harmed.  Every year on 9/11, I get the same feelings I had when I heard about what had happened.  I feel nervous, scared, depressed, and hatred.  I can’t imagine why someone would ever want to be so cruel and harm innocent people. 

This is an example of list blogging.

You know you’re obsessed with the Jonas Brothers when…

1.) Someone tells you to ‘Hold On’ and you go crazy and start singing and dancing

2.) You refer to Kevin, Joe and Nick as ‘The Boys’

3.)  Your family starts to refer to them as ‘The Boys’

4.) You can’t go one day without hearing at least one of their songs

5.) The Jonas Brothers’ songs are on you ‘Top 5 Most Played List’

6.) You know everything about them, including birthdays, favorite foods, middle names etc.

7.) You know every word, to every song on all their albums

8.)  You would wait outside at 6 o’clock in the morning for their concert which doesn’t start until 7 p.m.

9.) When you’re having a bad day, you count on the Jonas Brothers’ videos to make you smile =)

10.) You tell your mom all you want for your birthday is The Jonas Brothers

11.) You leave Disney Channel on all day just to watch ‘Bonus Jonas Time’

12.) You own two copies of their cd, one for the car and one for your sterio

13.) If someone asks you your favorite band, your best friend can answer for you

14.) You think about them all day, everyday

15.) Your wall is covered with posters and pictures of them

16.) When you hear about a contest, you invite a friend over so you have double the entries =)

17.) You despise Miley Cyrus

18.) You can locate Wyckoff, New Jersey on a map

19.) You either wish you were, or consider Mandy the luckiest girl alive

20.) You use the phrase, “It was fantastilistic!” constantly

21.) Limited Too is your favorite “restaurant”

22.) You use the phrase, “Yo, that’s illogical, I can’t have it.”  whenever you don’t believe something

23.) All you want for Christmas is a Hippopotamus

24.) Your friends start to hate you because you talk about the Jonas Brothers so much

25.) The whole time you read this list, you were nodding your head and smiling

If you had one wish, for any person but yourself, what would it be?

Well, I have to say that family is probably the most important aspect of my life.  So, if did I have one wish, I would wish for my family’s happiness.  For example, I know that both my parents want to move to Florida.  I would wish that there was a way that we could all move down there without the hassle of having to sell our house in Connecticut.