“We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.” Marcel Proust
Journeys have been the subjects of stories for thousands of years. An epic narrates the journey of a hero. The hero faces immense challenges, and in the end he or she discovers something about himself or herself and/or about the world.
Describe a journey that you have taken in your life. The journey can literally involve traveling, or it can be more metaphorical (e.g., tell about a challenge you have faced, something new you have experienced, etc.). Describe the journey, but also tell about the wisdom you gained from it--about yourself or about the world or both.
Here’s an example for you:
A few years ago, my friends Erin and Faith decided to take a rock climbing class. I was hesitant because I didn’t think I would be good at it, but they were so excited that I signed up anyway. The class was scary at first. I was always afraid I would fall, and coming down seemed worse than going up! As we learned the techniques, however, I realized I was actually pretty good at climbing. Moreover, I really enjoyed it. I discovered that I liked facing the challenge of getting to the top of the wall. Sometimes I couldn’t make it to the top of a path, but after practicing and trying again and again, I eventually could reach the top--or at least higher than I had the first time. I discovered that it’s ok not to reach a goal, but that I can meet most of my goals if I don’t give up and persevere through difficulties.
Please answer in 150-250 words. Your response is due no later than 8:00 a.m. on Friday, January 30. You will lose points if your response is under 150 words, if it is late, and/or if it does not reflect your own ideas.
Journey that i have taken in my life. I have taken many journeys. But my most favorite journey is me becoming a pilot. I started flying in the winter of 2013. I got interested in flying planes, because i would look up in sky and see the birds fly, and i would be like i wish i could see what they see. So my mom found a way for me to fly so we went to the gastonia airport but they didn’t want to teach me. So we went to rowan county and they were willing to help me and ever since then i been flying. I hope to solo soon so i can get my pilot license and hopefully i can get more African Americans to fly because only 1% of humans fly and .003% of other races fly everybody else is White. So my dream is to get more people to experience what i experience when i fly.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you are actively working against stereotypes as you pursue your dream of becoming a solo pilot. I really respect that you didn't give up on your goals when you didn't get support from the first airport that you tried. Great post!
DeleteI have took many journeys in my life. But my most favorite journey is meeting the USA Men's High School Record Holder, Trent Friday. On the MLK weekend me and a friend traveled to Tallahassee, FL. On a early saturday morning, we decided to go on a little tour around Florida A&M University, and Florida State University. While riding around Florida State’s campus we drove by the track and saw people out there. We decided to go look and see who were out there. That’s when we met Trent Friday, a freshman in college. Trent motivated me, making me realize anything is possible for me. All you have to do is stay motivated, humble, and work hard at what you love. After meeting Trent I had a different outlook on the world and life. Life is a beautiful thing to experience. There may be obstacles that you’ll have to cross, but that’s only to make you stronger.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like meeting Trent Friday was a really positive experience for you. It sounds like seeing someone who is successful in track made you think about your own future and how you can accomplish your goals and work through adversity.
DeleteI really don’t know where to start, god has blessed me at a young age. I’ve overcame adversity but right now it’s a tough time, because i played jv basketball last year but unfortunately i got cut this year! I feel like god knows what he’s doing right now! It’s only a minor setback for a major come-back. I gained some confidence in everything because getting removed from the basketball team gave me time to think more about my education, family, and a different perspective towards basketball. Focusing on my school work more makes me work harder! My G.P.A improved this year since i’m not playing basketball. My grades have always been outstanding but i always expected more. Now i know my grades plus my high school diploma is the gateway to college!
ReplyDeleteIt can be frustrating when you don't get the chance to do something that's important for you, like playing on the team. It sounds like you turned that frustration into a positive experience and that you have refocused your attention to help build your future success.
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ReplyDeleteA journey that I have taken in my life is my move from Indianapolis to Gastonia. Moving from where I practically grew up, to somewhere I did not even know existed was a big deal for me. During this move I actually changed a lot. While I was living in Indiana I was a very shy, quiet, keep to myself type of girl. I never went out with my friends from school, and I did not really get involved in school events. Every weekend faithfully I spent by myself with my family. Coming down to Gastonia I knew I did not want to be like that. Especially since I was starting my freshman year in high school. So, to change that I opened up a little bit more to people, and then found my friends that I have today. This was a big leap for me in my life. I know now that you have to give a little to get a little. Everybody is not just going to come to you like you want them to. You have to put in the effort to make friends.
awwwww...... i love u sundra
DeleteSaundra, it sounds like your move to Gastonia was a positive thing for you. It can be hard to leave the place you grew up, where you felt safe and comfortable; but it also gave you a chance to reinvent yourself. It sounds like you are happier now. Great post!
DeleteA journey I have taken in my life was in 5th grade. That was when I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. It was definitely emotional for me and It was hard to adapt at first. WE found out because I was just dizzy all the time and my dad is a Type 2 diabetic, so he checked my blood sugar and it was in the 400’s. If we wouldn’t have caught it then I would have been in the hospital. It was hard. Lots of tears shed over a few months. It was a struggle, I had to go to a class and they had to tell me how to do everything and I had to practice sticking myself with the needle connected to the pump. After a while I learned to deal with it and cope but I am just as strong as ever. I am used to it now and I do the same stuff I did before I was a diabetic. I play sports and do church things and I am just glad that there are guys out there have have told me that even though I have diabetes they don’t care because I am an awesome person and they would date me anyway because they dont care I have it. That made me feel good because I thought guys won’t like me and no one will be my friends but I was wrong. Don’t get me wrong I still have days where it’s hard and I wanna break down and I do but I know I can get through it.
ReplyDeleteLearning to live with a condition like diabetes can be really challenging. It sounds like it was very emotional for you, but now you have learned to be comfortable with your situation. It seems that you live a very full life and enjoy it as much as--or more than--most other teenagers!
DeleteI’ve had many journey’s in my life, that have changed me in incredible ways. Though the one thing that made a big difference was growing up with cancer. When I was born, I was diagnosed with Melanoma on my leg. I was at Stage 3 when they found it, which caused me to live in the hospital for the first 4 years of my life. They believed I wouldn’t be able to live, because of how bad it actually was. Honestly, it was a hard time for my family because I was young and we didn’t have much money to pay for the hospital bills. It took 3 surgeries, and I had over 40 stitches each time. However, if I had the chance to have never been diagnosed with it, I wouldn’t change it. Me getting cancer, changed the whole way I look on life. Many kids my age take things for granted, and don’t really know what its like to stare death in the face. I’m greatful to have the people I do in my life today, and I am very happy to be where I am in life as well. I still have to go to the doctors and get a MRI done every month, but I’m okay with that. I hope many people realize how important life is, and how quickly it can be taken away. Don't get me wrong, sometimes its hard to live with it because of the scar I have but every time I look at it, I try to tell myself that I was strong and I made it through. I thank God everyday for that, giving me a chance to continue life. Therefore I will make the most of it.
ReplyDeleteI love your attitude about appreciating life! The challenge of growing up with cancer shaped your whole view of the world. I can see that it helped you to become the good person that you are today!
DeleteA journey that i have taken in my life would be when me and my brothers and sisters got taken away from our parents and put into foster care. this was a journey because it really had a lot of impact on my life and my familys life. me and my twin brother were the only ones that got to actually stay together out of the 6 of us. we have been to 15 different foster homes…. alot of the foster homes werent the best to live in it was really hard moving around from home to home. although this sounds like a really sad story, it made me the person that i am today. i have learned how not to be and who i don’t want to be so every morning i get up i remember what i’ve been through and remember who i want to be. even though we went through all of that we are with a family that loves us very much and we are happy.
ReplyDeleteLauryn, you have such a good attitude about going through so many different foster homes. I think it's great that you are taking the positive out of your situation and remembering that you are with a family who loves you and that you are happy!
DeleteLast year, around the beginning of the year, I was with my best friend, Savannah, at a church lock-in for New Years. Savannah was very tired because we stayed up all night and had no sleep and she started being mean to my friend Jordan. So I decided to stand up for Jordan and told Savannah to stop being mean to him. I told her to stop in a very mean though. So then for 2 months she didn’t talk to me. It made me really upset because I didn’t have someone to talk to about all my problems. Then some time in March, she asked me to come to her house to talk. I went and then my friend, Damon, Savannah and I. She yelled at us for being selfish, which was true. I had been hanging out with Damon more than her before we got in a fight. Now, me and Savannah talk about once a month because we arent as close anymore. After we stopped being friends, she turned to bad things. I miss her a lot but shes not the same as she was in the past. I’m probably honestly better without her though.
ReplyDeleteIt can be really hard seeing friendships with people change over time. It sounds like it was unfortunate circumstances that led to the change in your situation. It's good that you recognize that she is doing things that, to you, are negative, and that you realize you are better not being involved in those activities.
DeleteI haven’t had many journeys, but over the last year I have I had one of the hardest journeys I have ever had. Over the past year my mother has gotten married, to someone I hadn’t known very long. I know him better now, but it was hard. I have gotten a new set of grandparents and some new cousins. This year I had to attend several funeral’s, including a grandfather that I loved very much. I got a new puppy. Her name is Karma. I watched people go to hospitals. I hated that people, including family, could be so heartless. I was at a nursing home to visit my great-grandmother, for the first time since she had been placed in the home, who was on her deathbed. I was outside her room when she passed away. As i stood in her room as the doctor checked her corpse, I watched my great-grandfather walk up to my mother, dry eyed and say to her in a bitter and hateful tone that he was “glad” that she(my great-grandmother) got to see my mother before she pass. I had enough funerals for a lifetime. I want to have a relaxed rest of the 2015 year. I want people able to understand that sometimes bad things happen but you can’t let it bring you down.
ReplyDeleteDylan, I understand what you are saying about changes with marriage and family and life and death. It sounds like you have gone through many changes in the last year. I'm sorry for the loss of your great-grandmother, and I hope you will have a better year in 2015. :)
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ReplyDeleteOne journey that i’ve been through that made me think that not only friends betray you but also family. Growing up i’ve lived with my grandparents and my little sister, and my cousins and aunts and uncles would come over to visits. We would have little get togethers and cookouts and things so that the family would spend a day together. So one summer at one of our cookouts my cousin, my aunt and I, got into a huge argument over a lie that someone told on me. Apparently my grandmother told my aunt that I hit her and my aunt decided to confront me before actually getting my side of the story. After the argument me and my aunt barely talk anymore and she doesn’t come around as much as she used to, and if she do neither one of us speak to one another. I honestly think that the whole thing was pointless but it also showed me that some things isn’t worth stressing over
It sounds really unfortunate that you and your aunt got into such a big fight over something that, to you, seems unimportant. It can be hard to open lines of communication when something like this happens, but eventually you might find the time is right to try to bridge the gap. Until then, you're right; there are few things in life really worth stressing out over.
DeleteA journey that I have taken in my life was last summer when I went to Colombia. When I usually go to Colombia I really don’t pay so much attention to the poverty there. Although last summer, now that I am much more mature it really opened my eyes. Seeing people out in the streets with barely no clothes, skinny to the point where you can count each rib, little kids selling whatever they can get to buy important needs because their parents can’t, women with their babies asking for help, and everything terrible you can’t imagine. Other than that seeing people be happy over the little things and actually only caring about the valuable things made me think about life including the things I have. If they're happy with the limited things they have, I should be satisfied and happy with everything I have because what I have is so much. I feel like everyone should be thankful for what they have because other people around the world doesn't even have half the things most of us do, starting with a home. This journey taught me to be thankful, be happy with what I have, and stop taking things for granted.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like traveling to Colombia helped you to realize how we should be grateful for the things we have in our lives. It can be hard to see people in situations of poverty, but it also makes us realize how unnecessary some of the things we think are "important" really are.
DeleteA journey that I have taken in my life would be two summers ago when we went on a family beach trip. It was me, my mom, my step dad, my brother, my grandparents, and my cousin. We went down to Carolina Beach for a week. On the way there, it rained the whole time. But once we got there it stopped. The trip was going fine, until I decided to take a surfing class. That didn't go well, I fell so many times and got board burn. So after my class we decided to go out to a nice dinner at a seafood restaurant, my brother who has eaten shellfish his whole life ended up getting an allergic reaction and had to be rushed to the hospital, he is fine now. The next day, we were out on the beach and swimming in the ocean, and my cousin got stung by a jellyfish three times on the back and twice on the leg. She is fine now too. That was a crazy vacation, but I wouldn't change it for anything because of the great memories.
ReplyDeleteYour beach trip sounds like a lot of fun, even though there were some crazy moments. It sounds like you may have learned that things might not always go according to plan, but that you can overcome difficulties and still enjoy yourself.
DeleteA journey that i have taken in my life is becoming a Freshman in Highschool. This was a journey for me because becoming a freshman was scary and nerve racking. In 8th grade I remember that people would say that Seniors would have “Freshman Friday”. Which was throwing Freshman in the trashcan every Friday. But i figured out they were all kidding and just trying to scare me more than i already was. I wasn’t ready for high school knowing that I would be leaving most of my friends, this was hard for me becoming making friends was hard for me. I thought I wouldn’t have any friends coming in to high school, because I was really shy. On the first day being a freshman, wasn't so bad as I thought. Becoming a freshman and now here being a Sophomore has showed me that you have to just always be yourself, express yourself, and have faith in yourself.
ReplyDeleteChanges, like entering high school, can be really scary. Most of the time, however, once we experience the change, we realize it's not so bad. It sounds like you learned to be more confident in yourself as you face life's trials.
DeleteA journey that I have taken in my life is having to help my mom when she her kidneys shut down. It was a very traumatic experience for my whole family but me especially because I was so young. It took all of us to help her with her dialysis, and simple things she couldn't do for herself anymore. I was terrified I would lose my mom, and a few times throughout the whole thing it became a very close reality. Through that experience though I feel me and my mom have a closer bond, and every year March 29th has a different meaning to me than the average person. I have a different respect for my mom after this. This situation taught me that things like this can happen to anyone. My mom wasn't sick before this, it was just complications. It also taught me that you just have to have some faith and hope for the best. There are many things in life that you can't change (this being one for me) but you just have to work through it.
ReplyDeleteIt can be really hard seeing someone you're as close to as your mother going through such a difficulty, but it is part of life and like you said, it's not something you can change. It sounds like you learned how to deal with the complications of life and also to appreciate your mom more than before.
DeleteI’ve had many journey’s in my life. But one journey that really sticks out is our football season last year. We had a great workout in the summer. We did in our scrimmages & ven won our first game. We just knew we were about to have a great season. But as the season went on, things got bad. We started losing games. Players started quitting. The team just was not the same as it was a the beginning of the year. We didn't have any leadership or family bond on the team. The season was total roller coaster. It really taught me a lot though. Without leadership & everyone coming together as a team, there is no team. After this year, we learned a lot. We definitely plan on having a much better season than we did. We plan on being a family & coming together as one. This really was learning season for us & a chance for us to realize , without team, you are nothing on the field.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a really important point that you made about leadership and teamwork. Without those elements, it's really hard for a team to be successful. It sounds like you will hopefully have a better season in the upcoming year. I hope you will be able to step into a leadership role and help make sure the team works together in a positive way!
DeleteWell journey I have in my life would be at the start of this year’s wrestling season. I found out that I would be in one of my biggest matches of my wrestling carrier this season before conference. To be honest the whole ride up to Old App. State high school I was thinking about the match the whole time. I got there and it was my first varsity wrestling match and I did not know what to expect from him or myself and I lost. At that moment I thought I was no good at what I was doing and one week later I started practicing harder started winning and I was the first one to 20 wins this season. Now I had the hugest match of the year tonight 1/27/2015 to win conference 2 year in a row that was and still is a good feeling but my journey is not over yet.
ReplyDeleteA journey i have taken in my life is becoming a freshman in high school. It changed me a lot from middle school, i used to not focus during class and goof off during class with friends. But now i’ve been focusing better and getting way better grades. Experiencing high school has been fun and really interesting. I figured out the course i want to take in life and that high school is a really great place to learn. I love love love love theatre. That is the best class i have ever been in. I think that theatre is a really good place for me because i realized that i find theatre a fun experience because i have stage fright but when i am on stage it doesn’t feel like anyone is watching or anything. I also am a tech geek. I love doing the tech of scenes and plays.
ReplyDeleteAndrew, I think it's great that you've found something you're so passionate about! It sounds like getting involved in theater has helped you to focus in school and work toward your success so that you can achieve your long term goals. Great post!
DeleteA journey I have taken in life is a trip all the way down to orlando, Florida. The most important part of this journey was getting to ride in the airplane. I had never rode in a airplane before so i didn't know what to expect. But when the plane took off and we were high up in the sky, I finally had worked up enough nerve to look out the window. What i saw was breath taking. All the land was serapted. I had seen a picture of the land like this before, but to see in person is just another thing. This to me was kind of a life experience because the world itself is just such a beautiful place. I mean yeah you can see some of these natural beauties on postcards, the internet, and social media. But to see it in actuality is just a lost for words ( I hoped i phrased that if i didn't sorry). With this experience i carried with me that as me as human being I have to travel the world, or at least explore so i experience some of these natural beauties.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your journey led you to a greater appreciation for our world and led you to understand how experiencing something in real life is so much different from just hearing about it or seeing pictures of it. I hope you will continue to appreciate the beauty in our world!
DeleteMy journey was to get a gold medal in middle school wrestling. I was suppose to be one hundred forty eight pounds and i came in as one hundred fifty six pounds. During practice i has to lose weight all year until the tournament. We ran forty five minutes at practice to help us lose weight and get in shape. I had to cut out all junk food for the entire season i could only drink water and milk and went on a all grilled chicken and pineapple diet. I ran on my own outside of practice for the whole season. I ran mile daily at lowell elementary in the dark with a little tiny flashlight. But i kept pushing myself to beat my time everyday so that i could get gold. I could run it in one and a half songs and was in the most incredible shape i've ever been in my life. Then it all came down to the tournament i won my first match by pin then the second by pin. Then in the final match i won in double overtime by one point to get gold.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your gold medal! It sounds like the journey to get there really taught you self-discipline and sacrifice. It is rarely easy to achieve our goals; we can only get to them through hard work and dedication.
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ReplyDeleteOne pretty awesome journey I took was around the end of my 8th grade year. It was completely unexpected I literally had a notice one day before. I was sitting in class when my dad called me and said “when you get home I need you to pack for New York City”. I asked why and my dad said “we are going to New York for your cousin’s wedding”. So after packing my bags for the trip to the city, my dad and I headed off, we drove for at least eight or nine hours. making stops in several cities. I got to see the jersey turnpike, and we ate at an old fashion diner and they made the best omelettes. when we got to the city, i witnessed how massive new york really is, imagine being in uptown charlotte and multiply it by 100. We went over the brooklyn bridge into brooklyn, and ate lunch at this really cool resturaunt, where you could eat right on the sidewalk. the next place we went to was pretty special, I got to see the 9/11 memorial. It was quiet, serene, a very beautiful and peaceful setting, and along the sides of the wall that surrounds the footprint of where the buildings were standing were thousands of names. it made me think, each name on that stone was a family member lost. but new york was alot of fun and i’d love to go back again sometime!
It sounds like you really enjoyed your trip to NYC. The 9/11 Memorial sounds like it was an important place to you and made you realize how fragile life is.
DeleteMy family, about 6 years ago took our last vacation ever basically. We went down to Pennsylvania to visit our cousins Michelle, Monica, and Melissa. Also my dad’s brother which I will not spell his name because I will probably spell it wrong. But when we went down to visit, I didn’t know almost all of family from around the world was going to be there! My uncle from France came, uncle Minh, and my cousin from Canada came down to visit as well. Along with some other people I didn’t even know were related to us. There was no real special occasion to why all of them would come to Pennsylvania. It was really a nice surprise. My brother, my sister, and I all got to meet all of them. They were really awesome to meet and get to know them. Most of my dad’s brothers were there except for like 2 or 3. I think my dad has like 9 or 10 brothers. But yeah, that was my trip down to Pennsylvania and my last vacation. It was a blast!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like traveling to Pennsylvania was fun for you because you got to see so many family members and even meet some who you didn't know before. I think it is our connections with people that make experiences like this so rewarding in our lives.
DeleteA journey that i have taken in my life is becoming a freshman. It has changed me, i has made me view things differently, it has matured me. Before i came to high school i used to think that school wasn't important and that it wasn't going to help me out in life, but i realized that if i ever want to become someone important in life i have to come to school and start taking things serious. High school has taught me a lot like be yourself, don't let people bring you down, and try your very best. I hope to graduate and achieve more in life than what i have now.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have learned some important lessons about being serious as a student and pushing yourself through challenges in order to be successful in school and in your future.
DeleteA journey that I have been through? Well I guess ive been on journeys but nothing to write home about. So during winter break I was on my way to Telluride, Colorado where my brother lives. I started this journey in a car ride to the Charlotte airport at about 6:15am. By 7:30am I was on my first Delta flight for about 30 minutes to Atlanta. When we touched down I found myself in the busiest airport I have ever seen. By the time I found a departure board I realized I had a 2 hour layover. As I waited to board my plane I wondered around the airport in search for good food just to hear the announcer saying my flight was boarding. So I scurried to my gate where the lady boarding us gave me a bright smile and said “have a good flight”. As I sat on the plane for nearly 3 hours I looked out the window and saw snowy mountains. As I was gazing at the mountains in awe I heard the captain speak saying “we will be landing in 3 minutes”. So I got myself ready to land and sat anxious to see colorado. When we landed I got out and standing there was by big bro in this tiny airport. I walked up to him and he just hugs me and says “whats up little bro”. As we get into his car he tells me to look in the back and there I saw my new snowboard. As I start to look at him to say thank you he cuts me off to say “ lets go shred some snow” so we head up the mountain and do some backcountry and for the rest of the trip we did that every day all day. That is one of my journeys.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like traveling to see your brother may have been stressful at the time, but when you got there, it was all worth it. Sounds like you and he had a great time snowboarding together.
DeleteMy journey begins in Arizona on camelback mountain. We go there all the time but one of the last times we went we got to take my grandparents on both my dad side and my mom side. My my grandparents on my mom side are like 10 years younger than my dads side and keep in mind the camelback is a hike that is famous in Arizona for it long and hard rock climb. So we started our hike around 8 or 9 in the morning so it wasn’t so hot when we went up and down. It felt like forever till we got to the top because my dad had to keep helping his mom and dad because it was a little too dangerous for two 80 year olds to make it up a like 2 mile hike up rocks and dirt. We finally got to the top and my my grandmother fell and hit her head and thats when it started we started to make our way down and it was getting hotter and we started running out of water and my we knew that my dads parents weren’t going to make it down. So we had to call for rescue and they brought like a helicopter And like 3 ambulances, firetrucks, police cars it was a mess but at the end of the dad we got to sit down in the hotel and watch the news talk about the people that almost didn’t make it down.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like the hike with your grandparents was a stressful experience. As we get older, sometimes we lose the ability to do things that once might have been easier for us. I hope that despite needing a rescue that your grandmother appreciated and enjoyed the experience, and that you all felt closer for it.
DeleteA journey i have taken before in my life was entering highschool as a freshman. My journey actually started in the summer of 2013 three months before because i had to go to soccer workouts starting june. I was scared to go at first but i came to find out that everybody was really friendly and most of the people that went were freshman anyway so it wasn’t too bad. By july i had already met everybody and i was friends with a lot of seniors, juniors, and sophomores, and so on the first day of school i wasn’t even a bit nervous. One thing about freshman year though was that it changed me somewhat, mostly who i hung out with but also my appearance and personality, I’m not as shy as i was last year which i think is a good thing that came out of my freshman year journey.
ReplyDeleteJust like many others, you seem to have changed and become more who you really are after entering high school. I think it's a chance for young people to realize who they are and who they want to be.
DeleteMy journey with playing volleyball starts back in 7th grade. I did not make the team in 7th grade. I always found the game very fascinating. I was devastated that i did not make the team. I chose to not give up. My 8th grade year i was fortunate to make the team but I didn't fully understand the game. Coming into highschool I was terrified to go to workouts and try out. Some how I made it to one workout before tryouts after tryouts I was so scared i was not going to make it but I was so lucky i made jv. After the jv season i saw and realized how much fun, work, and commitment this sport would be. At the banquet that year I got most improved. That summer i was determined to work hard and try and get better. I started by attending the Appalachian State Camp with my team. I learned a lot from the camp it was very tiring but also very helpful. It was the best experience i’ve ever had with volleyball. Coming back from the camp everyone was so excited to see how much I improved. I was the starting middle when the season started. As the season progressed I got an unfortunate injury that set me back for a couple of games. I had to overcome my injury and push through the rest of the season. I learned a lot of things from my journey. I learned that if you work hard and if you have perseverance that you would be more likely to succeed. I overcame the challenges that were put in front of me. I learned what hard work and dedication was. Its been a long and tiring journey but it is nowhere near the end.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like volleyball has been a very positive element in your life. From your experiences, you learned to overcome setbacks and to persevere through injuries. It sounds like you've had a great experience; I hope it continues in your upcoming years!
DeleteMy favorite journey was when i was in India, i traveled to my family temple. A Temple is basically a church in hinduism. Now at first i did not enjoy it, i despised it. We had to walk bare footed and the sand was hot, and the temple floors were damp and murky and there was not much to do really. Now the thing is about temples, in india they are huge. They are the size of multiple houses. This is because in Hinduism, there are many gods, and for the most part we worship as many as we can. I was walking around the temple, temporarily separated from the group while they get ready for a ceremony we planned on doing later that day. I went exploring all around the temple, my childhood imagination had me thinking i was Indiana Jones. I found the room with the biggest statue i ever saw, it was one of our gods, Lord Vishnu. Now this was a dumb move now that i look back at it, but i was very young, after i saw the statue i decided i had to climb to the top. I got to the top and i saw all the tiny statues in the dim candlelight on the ground, and it amazed me. It made me think about a couple of things, like how amazing it is that a human could have built all of this, and how devoted they must have been to do this. Eventually i was called back by my parents so i had to leave, but i will never forget this trip to this temple.
ReplyDeleteI like how you compare yourself to Indiana Jones in your writing! It sounds like traveling to the family temple helped you realize some things about the human experience--how small we are in the universe, but how we build great structures and how dedicated we can be to our beliefs.
DeleteI have embarked on many journeys throughout my life. Some have been short. Some have been long. Some are still going on. All of them are unforgettable, as each has left a permanent impression in my life. The journey I want to tell you about turned my life around, changed my very outlook on people, the world, and myself. This journey was to the Senator James S. Forrester Commissioner’s School of Excellence. I know, it’s a mouthful. I arrived in June, a nervous kid standing on the Quad at Belmont Abbey. I’m not very social, which has caused me to build a rather lengthy list of acquaintances, rather than friends. I was truly afraid of living and working together with people I didn’t know. I wasn’t sure if I would fit in. At first, I tried to stick around the few people I did know, but I realized that I had to reach out to others, even though I felt uncomfortable. But I soon realized that this decision would change my life. Working and learning with new people, I gained new insights about the world. I met some of the greatest people I have ever known and have built lasting friendships with many of them. I gained confidence in myself and learned many life lessons in the process. Of all the journeys I have taken in life, this one was the most memorable.
ReplyDelete---Spencer Lowrance
It sounds like your experiences in Commissionaer's School allowed you to meet other young people whose mindsets were similar to yours. It sounds like the experience helped you open up to others and to be more trusting and confident.
Deletewhen i was in the third grade , i joined Girls on the run or GOTR for short. I was a very shy and reserved girl at that time. i didn’t have much friends and lots of kids picked me on because i was very overweight . Once I joined GOTR , i discovered how much i loved running , i made lots of friends and ran lots of 5K’s. Despite the fact that i was very overweight i was the best runner on the team . I learned that trying new things can lead to great discoveries and you never know what you can be good at until you give it a try. I have gained lots of self esteem and i love what i began doing that day , running ..long distance - 5K’s
ReplyDeleteMaria, I know how hard it can be to be picked on like that. It sounds like you took control of your life by joining GOTR. I know how positive running can be in your life--I can relate to your experience of gaining self-esteem and a sense of pride and accomplishment in reaching a goal in running.
DeleteI have taken many journeys in my life. During my life as a child, I moved around a lot because my dad is in the Army. I was born in Georgia and I have lived in different states such as Kentucky, Virginia, Washington State and now North Carolina. We moved via car everywhere we went so we would stay and sleep in the car for days. Since we traveled by car we passed through many states like Oregon and Nevada and such. I have been to about 7 different elementary schools. It was really cool to meet all these new kinds of people and all, but it sucks because I don’t have the privilege of saying “Well I have known this person since we were in kindergarten.” The longest I can say I have known someone here is since 4th grade. I like North Carolina and Gastonia is cool I guess.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like it has been hard for you living in all of these different places, but also it sounds like you have become used to it. I lived in the same small town for 18 years and always wished my family would move so I could have a fresh start with people who hadn't known me since kindergarten.
DeleteMy journey is when i moved from Brooklyn to Gastonia. Gastonia is very different from Brooklyn so it was hard to get used to it. In Brooklyn there are streets where people walk on everyday and there are tall buildings. Brooklyn is a very big city and there are different type of people who live there it is very diverse. When I lived there we lived in a building and it was a small place because it is very expense over there. When I came to Gastonia I never saw a place like this before because it wasn't a city and it was a very open place. I do got a bigger house over here because its not as expensive. People also don't walk over here everyone got a car and in Brooklyn you can walk, take the bus, or train. It is quiet here and not that diverse. At Brooklyn schools are different and theres more freedom overthere. I used to make bad grades over there cause I didn't care about my grades with my friends over there and when I moved here my I started passing more classes, my grades went up and I took honors classes because there not much I can do over here.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like moving to Gastonia has been good for you as far as school goes. I think it's interesting how different Brooklyn and Gastonia are. It sounds like there are good things and bad things about both of them. And isn't that how life is?
DeleteA journey that I have taken was when I went to the doctors this year and had found out I had Scoliosis. When I first found out I had this I was shocked because nobody in my family had it. It didn’t run in the family so I didn’t understand how I got it. The doctor told me it wasn’t anything major but if I didn’t go to physical therapy it could end up being worst. After I went to the doctors a couple of day later I was sent to get an x-ray. The x-ray showed I had Scoliosis in my lower back. Having Scoliosis means your spine curves to much looking like the letter “C” or “S”. Taking physical therapy would help make your back to stay as straight as it can. Scoliosis is common with people all around the world. It mostly happens to people who get into crashes a lot.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like finding out you had Scoliosis may have been scary at first, but it sounds like you have learned to live with it and to take care of yourself. I hope it has helped you to appreciate life even more!
DeleteThough i was born in Chicago I moved here when i was a child. It wasn’t till the summer after 6th grade did i get to visit for the first time, it was amazing. The city was beautiful, big and bright. Fast cars, people of every shape, color and size, and the bean. I got to see and learn more about the place and things there that are different from things here.I learned the different way of how they spoke spanish (horrible slang), and most of my family does. Most importantly i learned about my families past; the great grandmother i didn’t get to meet, my mother as a child, and my grandmother learning english. it was all great and beautiful and I got to see 50% of the family that I missed.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like going to Chicago helped you understand a part of your life and family that you don't get to see here. I love Chicago; it's one of my favorite cities in the U.S.!
DeleteA journey i have taken is when i went to Colombia the summer of my 8th grade year. I was there for two months and I had only been to Colombia one other time back in 5th grade. I didnt really know english as well as i do now. I understood the language but it was a bit more difficult to find the words that you know in english but not in spanish. Like for example i might know how to say peas or bookshelf in english but not in spanish. Regardless of the challenge of still learning the language it was still a really fun experience because i met a lot of my family and i tasted many new foods. I learned some new soccer tricks and over the two month period my spanish got better from speaking to so many people. I never knew i could have so much family in one place. The whole journey was an amazing experience.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like traveling to Colombia helped you to appreciate your family and your cultural heritage. It sounds like it was a great experience for you!
DeleteOne time I traveled to New Jersey for the funeral of my mother’s best friend. That was a very difficult time in our lives, especially because we had lived together before. My mother had always been close to her family ever since they met. They met in Albany, New York when my mother and grandparents resided there. Taking that trip to see her family was so unreal, I thought it was a never-ending nightmare. The challenge I faced was overcoming the fact that life would be different without a love one. It was a very unexpected passing. After she passed it was hard to be around her parents, siblings, and her child because they all reminded me so much of her. As we began to talk about all the good things that she had done, I realized that she was in a better place. As we took this trip, I also experienced new things, such as landmarks and restaurants. I was a really painful period in my life but I learned that when you lose someone who is close to you, you can't stop because they wouldn't want you to. She was a great person.
ReplyDeleteDeath (or the last great journey, as some people call it) is always hard for friends and family. It sounds like you were very close to your mother's best friend and that her death affected you a lot emotionally. The pain of the loss is hard, but it is a part of this being human, and something we all must learn to overcome. As you said, we still must go on living.
DeleteI go on journeys all the time to Georgia which is where my dad lives. I’m supposed to go every other weekend, but I can’t most of the time because he has to work a lot. The trip is about 4 hours and my mom takes me halfway and my dad picks me up and takes me the rest. We’ve been doing this since I was about 7 years old. That was when me and my mom moved here. It sounds kinda weird but that is how me and my dad bond, kinda. Since we hardly see each other there’s not a lot we can do together. Whenever I actually do go to his house we talk about things such as how school is going for me and how work is going for him. I’m sure me and my mom have met my dad hundreds of times meeting him. I guess you could say each individual drive is a journey, or the journey isn’t over until we quit meeting and I can drive myself. Either way it has changed me for the better.
ReplyDeleteI like the perspective you bring that you have deepened your relationship with your dad during the drive to Georgia. I think a lot of teens would just want to put in their headphones, but it sounds like you are taking advantage of the time to bond with your dad.
DeleteA journey I have taken in my life is struggling with anxiety. It started happening at a really bad time in my life and it caused me to change the way I think about things. It was like one day I was fine and the next I felt really weird like I wasn't even me. I could feel when I started to get really anxious because I felt really shaky and my heart felt like it’s beating really fast. I’ve learned to control it but it was a struggle to learn how to. It was the scariest thing I ever experienced in my life and it made me a completely different person than I was before. Even though it was the worst thing I ever experienced in my life i’m happy it happened because if I didn’t experience it I would have never become today. Right now i’m the happiest i’ve been in a long time.
ReplyDeleteStress and anxiety can be really powerful negative forces in our lives. I'm glad that you have learned to control your anxiety and have become happier.
DeleteI have been on lots of journeys in my life. The most interesting that I think that was the most interesting was my trip to Washington D.C. the Capital of the Country, The United States of America. This journey was taken on July 22, 2014, during my summer vacation. This was my favorite journey because the places I visit relate to my career path and what I plan to do after graduate from Ashbrook High school, and from College. I’d plan to graduate from college with a least a 4 year degree or a Bachelor’s degree I should say, and become a officer in ether Air force or the Marine Corps. During my time in D.C. I went to the museum and saw a whole bunch the military planes. I saw planes such as the F-22 Raptor, Air Force One, C-130 Hercules, and many more. I also got to visit the white but I couldn't get to see what's inside. The security there was ridiculous, guarded at a very high level. Those were the best parts of my epic journey.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you are so serious about your future and your career. I traveled to D.C. when I was a junior in college; it was one of my best experiences I have had traveling. I learned so much about our history and culture and became more appreciative of our country.
DeleteA Journey that i have taken was Band Camp during freshmen year. It was hot and we had to get to the school at about 7:30 AM. It was always a rush for I was never a morning person, it took a while to get out of bed. When we got to the school, I had to run and get my stuff and get on the field―I was almost always late. We worked and learned how to march while playing my instrument. After about 4 hours of marching, we had lunch in the hall outside of the bandroom. Shortly proceeding lunch, we would go into the band room, warm up, and work on music. A little bit into playing, we would split into sectionals where each section would work on their part. When every section was done, we would go back into the band room and play our music till about 6:00 PM. We had to do this every work day for two weeks. The experience was tedious yet it produced memories that I will never forget.
ReplyDeleteI understand what you mean about not being a morning person! I also understand how something like band camp can be so memorable. I was in chorus for nine years, and many of my good memories from those years are with my friends--when we were singing and when we were not, too.
DeleteAbout three years ago, I had to make a decision to switch schools. I was scared because I would have to make new friends and meet new people. I had gone to a private Christian school all my life, and was accustomed to it. Unfortunately the private school only went up to middle school. So I had to make the decision to switch to public school my eighth grade year. I wanted to do this to kind of get a feel of how public school worked, before I went to high school. As I got into the groove of things, I realized that public school and private school weren’t so different after all. In fact public school was a little bit more diverse than private school. I discovered that making new friends and meeting new people wasn’t that bad after all. By making this transition in my life, I learned that it’s good to step out of your comfort zone and that things aren’t always as bad as they seem.
ReplyDeleteI bet the idea of switching schools was scary at first because you felt safe and comfortable at your private school. It sounds like you had a good experience stepping outside your comfort zone and entering a new stage in life!
DeleteWhen I was ten years old, my parents decided to move our family from Elizabeth, New Jersey all the way to Gastonia. We originally went to Georgia because some family friends told us it was a pretty great place to live in and my parents did not want to live in New Jersey any longer. We were there for about a week before my parents realized it wasn't the right place for us. My uncle on my dad's side lived here in Gastonia and told us we should just come over here, which we did. Throughout the whole process of moving, my sisters and I were extremely upset. Most of our family lived in or a few minutes away from Elizabeth, and we also had all of our friends there. When we moved, we had to say goodbye to each of them. Our first few weeks here were pretty hard for my sisters and I because the only relatives we had in North Carolina was my uncle and his family, and we didn't have any friends yet. Then, a few weeks after moving, when it was time to start school and my parents got jobs, everything started to feel better and we got pretty used to life in the south. Now, five years later, I'm actually really glad that we moved here because I've met some of the most amazing people in my life today and I don't see myself leaving Gastonia anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteI think what you said about things being hard and frustrating when you first moved is important because then you address how after five years your perspective has changed. I think your writing is a fine example of how our views on the world change as we get older.
DeleteOne time, not to long ago, I was in middle school and tried something new, it was called Ultimate Frisbee. I learned about the game from First ARP Gastonia’s Youth group. The game of Ultimate is played with a 175g frisbee that is tossed to players on your team. If the frisbee is intercepted or dropped it becomes other teams disc. An additional challenge is the fact that while holding the disc you can not take more than three steps and you have to throw the disc within ten seconds of catching the frisbee. I started playing the game on sunday afternoons at Martha Rivers Park. These challenges seemed daunting at first but i soon caught on and learned the rules and how to throw the disc many different ways such as a hammer, a flick, and a backhand. To this day I still enjoy playing this game and try to play at least once a week. I wish I had started to play when I was younger.
ReplyDelete-Aaron Fargher
We used to play ultimate at a summer camp where I worked. It was always one of my favorite activities! It sounds like you have mastered the rudiments of the game and like you really enjoy it.
DeleteOnce when I was about 8 years old, my family went to Stone Mountain, Georgia for a family camping trip. We left on a Friday real early in the morning. It was so crazy rushing around trying to beat traffic, that during all the commotion, we drove off and left my brother at the house. Kind of like in the “Home Alone” movies. The mother and father rush off for vacation and leave their child behind at home. I remember Mom and Dad fussing the most, but I also remember being sort of glad I had my parents total attention. Of course, we went back inside the house to find him playing in the floor with his cars. I should also say we never made it out of the driveway. Through all that, we finally got to the campground late that afternoon. We were so tired, we just went straight to bed hoping to get up early the next morning. Our treat was to climb the mountain. The lesson here is to slow down and not be in such a rush. This way you will not miss the little things in life.
ReplyDeleteWhat a funny comparison to Home Alone! It is definitely important to slow down and pay attention to what we are doing in our lives. So often we try to rush and just stress ourselves out unnecessarily.
Deletefreshman year, moving from middle school to high school was terrifying to me. i have heard about freshmen fridays where upperclassmen shoved the freshmen into trash cans and locker. im a five foot, 95 pound girl. i can fit in a trashcan. i was dreading my first day. i didnt know where my classes were, i didn't know if i'd have any friends, and i sure didnt know about how tall and scary some of these people would be. my first day i didn't really talk to anyone but i slowly got used to it the people in my class and realized there's nothing scary about high school. the first semester flew by and i had made new friends then second semester started. same as first semester, i had people i knew and people who were total strangers in my class. freshmen year flew by really fast and it was pretty easy adjusting.
ReplyDeleteThat transition into high school can be scary at first, but it sounds like in the end it wasn't all that bad for you.
DeleteThe journey that most impacted me and ate up a good bit of my youth, would be narrowed down to when my parents got divorced. It greatly dented me and gave me scars. It made my family slowly and slowly dissipate and break away, and it made me see that all is not nice within the world. It was a bitterly bitter experience to see my parents no longer together, but it helped me work to pick myself back up and it helped me grow wiser about the hardships in the world. The divorce made me tougher and better able to overcome even more difficult situations, and it made me also realize that this wouldn't be the only bad thing that would occur in my life. I am now able to see the beauty in ugliness, and the ugliness in beauty, simply due to one specific journey that happened to grace my life.
ReplyDeleteI like a lot of your word choices and phrasing. You think like a writer. Maybe creative writing is in your future? It sounds like the experience of your parents' divorce was hard, but also like it shaped you into who you are and affected how you look at the world. Our lives consist of changes, some of which we choose and some of which we cannot control. These changes make for the ugliness and the beauty you described.
DeleteA life changing journey that I have went through is in the summer of seventh grade I went into a depression and felt the worst I have ever felt in my life. I had just gone through some things with my family and wasn’t doing well in school, some of the kids in my class weren't treating me very well and I felt alone. I spent most of my time in my room by myself and would go days without talking to anyone. It really changed my life because I had never felt like that before and didn't know what to do to get over it. Now thanks to my family and friends I am happy and try my best to make others happy and stay positive. This was the hardest journey of my life but in a way im glad that i went through it because it has made me a better person.
ReplyDeleteI understand what you are saying about struggling with depression because I have been through similar circumstances. It can be overwhelming. It sounds like you have caring and supportive family and friends who helped you get through it. It's OK to experience depression, and I hope that if you struggle with it again that you will be comfortable reaching out to all the people who care for you for help.
DeleteIn my opinion, a modern hero is someone who stands up for people and does good things to help out other people (extrovert).Also someone that makes a difference or a change in the world. I think Martin Luther King Jr. is a good example of a hero because he spoke up for what he, and other people, believed in. Back in the day African-Americans had it bad. With segregation, discrimination, & just brutality in general somebody had to speak up. Martin Luther King was the one to do it. Starting as a minister then becoming the leader of the Civil Rights Movement. He spoke up for everybody who was tired of the foul things going on way back when. Even though he got assassinated for what he was doing, everything he did made an impact, and changed they way we used to interact with each other which comes to the world we know today.
ReplyDeleteEven though I’ve been through many different journeys in my life one of the ones i will never forget is, was transferring from middle school to high school. I was actually excited but also terrified to face this dramatic change. High school consists of more people, more classes, and definitly more homework. High school also has a lot to do with involvement and I’m not a very talkative person so I wasn’t really prepared mentally. Even though I was having all these mixed emotions I really wanted to get out of middle school. The night before the big day I did everything I could to prepare for my first day. When i woke up i was ready to take the day on. I got there and I was so scared but then i began to realize that it wasn’t that bad. It was mostly the same people I knew in middle school. I got along with my peers but then the bell rang and it was time for me to go to class. I was terrified. I thought the teachers was going to be the meanest people ever. I got there and took a deep breath then sat down and got to meet them. It wasn’t as bad as i thought it was really calm and relax. Then I realized that it wasn’t that bad after all and that i was over exaggerating. I went home and told my mom about how easy the transformation was and i couldn’t wait for day two. That was a really huge change and a really important story in my life.
ReplyDeleteI think what you said about how you overexaggerated things in your own mind--your fears and anxiety about a new situation--is something a lot of us do in new situations. It sounds like you learned how to overcome those fears and to accept change and new challenges.
DeleteMy event happened in Morocco, and it doesn’t say when it happened but I know it happened recently since it is on the news. My event involves the soccer team from Morocco. So the country’s football federation has been fined $1 million dollars because they told Morocco they couldn’t play in the 2017 and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Alsp they are ordered to pay $9.1 million for damages causes. They have banned Morocco because they scared the Ebola virus will be spread. Even though there is no Ebola case in Morocco, officials are call it a “dictated by heath reason”. The government believes that thousands from West Africa pose as health hazards also and they could spread the illness. So Morocco has requested to postpone the event until the “heath risk go away”. This effects all the people in Morocco especially tourist spots so the country will lose a lot of money. This event shoes that people are still scared of Ebola even though Morocco has no Ebola cases. They are scared because they are near Africa. This is important because you shouldn’t discriminate Morocco with false allegations.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cnn.com/2015/02/06/football/morocco-banned-2017-2019-africa-cup-of-nations/index.html
On February 8th this year, Kanye west saved the Grammys. Every year critics ask themselves what isn't terrible about the Grammy awards, there's an award for everything, too many artists, and everybody takes it too seriously so artists can't take risks doing something spontaneous because they won't hear the end of it. Thank the music gods for Kanye west of course who isn't afraid of anything and is there to cause chaos and bring some life to the show. On Grammy night Kanye's near interruption to Beck winning album of the year hearkened back to 2009 when he stopped the show completely after Taylor swift won Best female video of the year to say that he thought Beyoncé had done a better job. He came very close this year to possibly doing to same but with a grin, he stepped away and smiled. The only thing better than his "joke" to stop the show again was when he was asked by E! about it and he responded saying that the Grammy's needed to quit playing with real artists if they want them to come back and also made the quote "We ain't gonna play with them no more. And Beck needs to respect artistry and he should've given his award to Beyoncé." Not only proving that it was a joke but also that he is possibly the biggest Beyoncé fan on earth. This was definitely the savior moment of the Grammys as it was so dull this year. At this point it's hard to assume that he won't make a fuss or act up at an awards show, Although the Taylor swift incident has long overshadowed all of these for most people, Kanye had pulled similar stunts at other Music awards even though they weren't for Beyoncé he had an argument that wasn't that shocking showing his character in 2004 he said "I was definitely robbed, I was the best new artist this year." All of these events of course obscure another big event at 2007 BET awards where he won Video of the year with his music video "stronger" over UGK and Outkast's "International Players Anthem" and when he took the stage he argued against his own win stating that he had made good videos, but he would like to hand his award to Big Boi and Bryan Barber because in his opinion they had the best video. I'm going to come to an end and basically say that Kanye West's near interruption was basically the main event and he definitely got more attention with it than ANY of the winners giving the awards the personality it needed.
ReplyDeleteA journey I have made it through was living with a relative with mental disorders. My sister has two mental disorders, at first we didn't have any knowledge of it and it was not that noticeable but as time went on it got worse. At first there where moments when she was fine but then she would be very angry or upset. I was little for the most part so I didn't know what was going on. My mom and her would argue a lot and get upset at each other. Then one day we went to the hospital i still did not understand but i knew my was sister was sick. But as time went on things only got worse until they prescribed her some medicine that helped for a little while nut my sister did not like the medicine and stopped taking them. As my mom and my sister argued she was go back and fourth to my grandmas and back to our house since she dropped out of school. Over the years my sister is doing much better she has a job and has more control over her condition with no medicine even when she has her bad days. I've learned to always love her no matter what and through her struggle she was there for me growing up.
ReplyDelete