A Trip Down Memory Lane

Ok, so I'm going to be honest here. I forgot the assignment was due this monday until I was reminded on Facebook late Sunday night. I worked from 3:00 to 11:00 every day this weekend, so I didn't have much time to do this. I did have time today, but it wasn't until around 5:00 that I could get around to doing it, which is why the pictures are getting gradually darker.

Anyway, for my New Years Walk, I went to the Soos Creek Trail. I went there not only because I live less than 30 seconds away, but also because, growing up, my family, friends, and I spent most of our free time there. Whether it was playing in the park, taking our dog for a walk, or riding our bikes on the trail, this is a place we could go and just have fun and forget about everything for a while.

This first picture is of the playground. It has gone through some cosmetic changes over the years. More specifically, it was recently torn down and replaced with a new "better" playground. Personally, I liked the old one better. Maybe it's the nostalgia factor of it, or the fact that I can't fit on the "horsey spring rider" anymore, but all I know is that it wasn't as fun today as it was before. It didn't look like the kids waiting for me to get off the slide were having much fun either.

This next picture is of the park itself. I remember the days when we would attend barbecues held in that little undercover area. there was a grill already set up there ready for public use, and there were almost always parties there. Now, it's deserted, and even closed off with tape. It just sits there, unused and uninviting, seeming like more like an eyesore than a place of fun.

This next picture is of the straight path that is the beginning of the 9 mile trail. To me, it signifies that this journey called life has only just begun, and we still have a very long way to go. It may seem endless at times, but it is important to just push on and enjoy what you have while it's there, because sooner or later, you will be at the parking lot at the end of the trail with nowhere to go but Home.

This next picture is about 30 feet into the trail. The man running down the trail signifies that though this journey may sometimes be tough, we are never alone.

These 2 pictures are of a very small path outside of the trail that I would frequently take during my many walks and bike rides, because sometimes it is nice to just stop and smell the flowers every once in a while. Unfortunately, just like the old fun playground, it seems the flowers are gone too.

This next picture is of a crooked tree that caught my eye as I was walking. To me, the fact that this tree caught my attention says something about life. In life, it is not the regular people that are noticed. People are noticed, and often praised for being different. So what if you're not like all the other trees? You are special, and are appreciated because of how different you are.

This next picture is of a bridge on the trail. I am not quite sure if this qualifies as a bridge since the water underneath is maybe an inch deep, but I remember always arriving at this bridge and making my way underneath it and just standing in the water and throwing little pebbles in it. Of course, i cannot do that anymore because of how unsanitary the water is now, but back then it was ok. I miss those days.

This picture is from the top of the bridge. It is the water and the fields below.

This next picture is of a box of raisins I found on my way back to the park. "Why would he take a picture of a box of raisins?" you may ask.

I have my raisins....

This is a picture I took at the end of my walk back at the entrance of the trail. It is also the moment I figured out the camera on my phone has a flash.













I guess in the end, for me this walk wasn't necessarily the "New Years Resolution Walk Thing" that was intended. It was more of a chance to look back on my life, and all the great memories I have at this place, and to realize that though everything around me will change, I must stay true to myself, and never change for anything. It's fun to be a crooked tree, and those little kids still have the rest of their lives to have a turn on the slide. In the meantime, there's a horsey ride with my name on it.

Things I Am Thankful For

I am thankful for the great outdoors.

I am thankful for my early morning swag.

I am thankful for those amazing views you can only find while going on a hike

I am thankful for my new best friend, Nicolas Cage.

I am thankful that my braces are gone.

And finally, I am thankful for my friends.

Well, The Sign DID Say 'No Trespassing'...

Along the road she was walking t'wards home
Living her life without a single care
However, this was a new path today
She quickly got lost, and a little scared

After a while, she found a warm cottage
Filled with lots of porridge, sofas, and beds
She briefly took a break from her voyage
And ate a large meal and rested her head

Once she was out, the owners returned home
To find the aftermath of her hunger
To search for clues of what happened, they roamed
And found the culprit sleeping off her blunder

To make up for having food no longer,
They ate young Goldilocks to rid their hunger.

I'm Getting Too Old For This

     *sniff sniff* What's that awful smell? All I did was sacrifice like I usually do. Boy, come and tell me what is wrong. What? What do you mean there's no fire? Wait, what do you mean it's seeping fluid? And where are all these birds coming from? This must mean only one thing. Creon. That hardheaded buffoon is really starting to get on my nerves. Why must he insist on always being right, even when he is obviously in the wrong? Doesn't he know that his stubbornness cannot possibly lead to anything good? Of course not! Because all he cares about is the unquestioned obedience of his subjects. And if anyone steps out of line, even his own niece, it's 'off with their head!' I mean, for the gods' sake, it is just a body! Someone has got to talk some sense into this man before he does something he will really regret.
     Of course, that "someone" has to be me. It always has to be me. Do you think this is the way I wanted to start my weekend? Of course not! Why must I always be the bringer of bad news? Why can't somebody else be the one to tell him that his pride is going to cause the deaths of everyone he has ever cared about? Do you think I like this "gift"? Why would I? All the people who I try to help always do is shoot me down, curse me, and send me away. They all understand that I'm never wrong, and yet whenever one of my prophecies isn't good for them, I am a fraud. I am getting too old for this nonsense. But, alas, it is my duty to inform the king of the consequences coming his way unless he changes, which he won't. I should just get this unpleasantness over with. *Sigh.* Come, boy. Take me to Thebes.

Smart Person, Not-So-Smart Decisions

     I watched as he walked down the street until he saw a car. He then proceeded to steal it, run over a bunch of people, and become involved in a high speed police chase. After a little while, he gave up and pulled over, but then proceeded to take out his gun and fight the police until they eventually put him down. And then he stopped playing Grand Theft Auto.
     But why was he playing GTA on a school night in the first place? It was because he had, once again, forgotten he had homework. He had a planner, but that didn't do any good because he couldn't find anything in his disorganized backpack anyway. So once again, I found him doing nothing, while his grades were slowly declining. I didn't understand it. He is actually smart, with an IQ in the 120's, but how was he still struggling to get a 2.5 GPA? All his parents and teachers believed in him, or else they wouldn't have recommended he sign up for his first advanced class. But still, why were his grades so bad? I realized, it had nothing to do with attention span, or anything like that. It was his priorities that were screwed up. He began in middle school not really caring, and of course, all those bad habits came with him into High School. As a result, as everyone is looking for which Universities to go to, he is stuck looking at Community Colleges.
     Seeing that he was depressed, I decided to have a talk with him. I told him that "Yes. You did screw up. But you can still change. Of course, not many places will be interested in you now, but if you can actually raise your grades and show you are willing to try, maybe some places you had never expected will have to look a second time at you. They will see that you have improved. Just remember that just because it's senior year, it doesn't mean theres nothing left for you. You should never give up because you never know what will be waiting for you if you just man up, take some responsibility for your short comings, and most importantly, change."

Personal Statement Rough Draft

          About 11 years ago, when I was 7 years old, I had just began learning how to play the piano by ear. I was learning how to play songs simply by listening to them over and over until I could play a song exactly like the recording. I thought I was only doing it for fun and there was nothing much to it. But one day, my mom and I went to Costco. While we were shopping, I came across a display keyboard, and decided to sit down and fiddle around on it. After a couple minutes of playing, i turned around to find a crowd of people watching me play! That was when I figured out what I wanted to do with my life.
          I continued playing the piano, and when I was in second grade, my parents decided it was time to sign me up for lessons so I could learn how to read music. I hadn't realized what I was missing until I had finally learned how to play a song without having to listen to it a dozen times first. Some of my most stressful memories were preparing for recitals, but ever since my first recital, hearing people applause after you play makes all the stress and nervousness worth it. Though piano can occasionally stress me out, some of my happiest memories have occurred when I was playing the piano. I remember every day when I would come home after school, I would practice for 1 to 2 hours. Every day while I was playing, my dog, Spunky, would always curl up underneath the piano bench and fall asleep. It was very encouraging to be able to lull someone to sleep (even if it was a 14 year old dog).
          Music  has also helped me get through some hard times in my life. My piano became more than just a piece of wood that made different sounds. It became an emotional outlet as well. Halfway through my sophomore year, my parents got a divorce. As if that process wasn't hard enough, a little over 6 months later, on the day after Thanksgiving, my dog, who was a part of my first memories, had a stroke in the middle of the night and we had to put him down because he was literally brain dead. I remember throughout that entire year (even just after my parents got divorced) just locking myself in my room and plugging my headphones into my keyboard, and just letting everything, all my sadness and frustrations, come out of my fingertips. My piano was to me, what a therapist is to someone else. Sure I tried all that stuff too, but as an introvert, I found it much more therapeutic to just be alone in my room with a keyboard and my thoughts. The piano was great for me, as an emotional outlet, but unfortunately, sometimes I would be too caught up in my music and forget to do my homework, or study, and as a result, my grades began to decline.
          Of course, I do not only associate my music with sadness. It has also given me many  opportunities that I am grateful for. It's crazy to think that as a result of a decision I made in the 1st Grade, I have competed in 2 WSTMA state competitions and festivals, became a member of my school's Jazz Band, been given the opportunity to play the piano at The Mission Church, and recently, been offered a  job teaching piano to 2 kids (so far). Music is my passion, and I hope to pursue a career in either Performing Arts, Composing, or Teaching.  

Affirmation Solicitation

(Mrs. Myers, I gave out all 4, but I only got one back, sooooooooo yeah.)


Affirmers Name: Alex Hay
Relation to student: Friend

Descriptive character qualities of the student:
1. Kind
2. Loyal Friend
3. Determined
4. Hard Working
5. Smart


In your own words, please describe below what you believe this student has going for him/her, especially as it relates to his/ her character and personal qualities. Please be as specific as possible.

"I believe that Nathan is extremely smart and he is set up great for his senior year and for college. His kindness and ability to make friends will also help out in the social aspect. He is a great guy and I'm really happy I have gotten to know him these last couple of years."