MY MOTHER. My mom is probably the person I have spent the most time with, the person I’ve argued with the most, I’ve confided in, cried with, laughed and joked with. She leads a very stressful life, but somehow manages all the pressure thrust upon her with a smile. She has taught me that everything can’t and won’t turn out how you expected, but will usually end up working out even better. She is my walking example to never ever fear the unexpected or the unknown.

MY FRIENDS. I also couldn’t narrow it down to just one person, but I happen to be fortunate enough to have a very tight knit group of friends. They will always be there for me, no matter what. Sometimes, they are way too honest, but atleast i know I’m getting the truth. They have taught me to laugh at myself, and not always take everything so seriously.

MY FATHER. My dad is quite the character. To him, life is one big party, and everything can be fixed with a good hearty chuckle. And, for him atleast, this carefree attitude seems to work. He’s been dealt some awful blows, and somehow accepts them, realizing that he can’t change the past. Some of the best advice I have ever had, has been given to me by him.

MY COACH. For three years I did all-star cheer, for a team called Southside cheer. The gym owner, Derek, had such a huge impact on me while I was on the team, though I’m sure he’ll never realize it. He is definitely one of those people you just really don’t like when you meet him. He will push you to do your very best, and just won’t settle for anything less. Sometimes he comes off as pushy or mean, but he knows what you’re capable of, and doesn’t want to see anybody fall short of their full potential. So many times I have been ready to give up, or so tired I thought I couldn’t run the routine any harder. He never did yell, but got the message across that he wasn’t giving us a choice but to keep going, he expected none less than our 100 percent effort and a good attitude with it. An attitude like this, that anything can be accomplished through perserverance, and sometimes a little sweat, will take you literally anywhere you want to go in life, any job or college.

          These are just a few of the people in my life who make a HUGE difference. I look up to them and respect them. They are wonderful people that we all could really learn from.

Probably my favorite way to spend summer is to go camping with my friends and family, whether we just go to the lake for a day, or stay for a week. Being surrounded by nothing but green trees and plants, and just having everything simplified for a week is really very relaxing.

“Hello?” She said.
“Hey, did you call?” I replied.
“Yes I did, I was wondering if you would burn me the new Jonas Brothers Cd, and i could stop and pick it up this afternoon on the way too Jacobs?”
“Okay sure, but I’m not sure if we have any blank cds left. You could drop one off and pick up the newly burnt cd on your way home?”
“That’s a great idea. I’ll be there in about twenty minutes.” Miranda said.
“Alright see you soon!” I exclaimed.
“Bye.”

Later that afternoon, Miranda arrived at my house, only to deliver the sad news that they were out of cds as well.
She didn’t get her cd.
THE END.

Period 2

Memoir

On One Condition

It was one of those rare sunny February days, where you can catch just the smallest glimpse of summer. Sitting in a sixth grade lit class was not where any of us wanted to be. The time given to us to work on a project had quickly turned in to a time to socialize with one another. I sat in a corner with Lene, as Stephanie told us about a recent win at her cheerleading competition. We rolled our eyes and quickly brushed off her story, because who cared about a bunch of forever smiling girls coated in glitter and makeup? Definitely not me, unless I happened to be mocking them.

My friends’ involvement in a competitive cheer team, Southside All-Stars, was a joke to us. Rahrahrah, kick your legs in the air, yell a lot, right? So when Stephanie got us back onto the subject later that day, this time asking if we wanted to go to a practice with her, I laughed in her face. Me, a cheerleader? Ha. I didn’t give it a second thought.

Stephanie was persistent, and kept pushing cheer on Lene and I. I’m still not really sure why she was, but I am grateful for her stubbornness. She finally wore me down, so I left it up to my mom.

I think I startled her with such a random question that afternoon because, although I was active, I had never taken a day of dance or tumbling in my life, and I wasn’t exactly coordinated. It was obvious that she was reluctant, either because she didn’t think I could do it, or I wouldn’t like it I’m not sure. But she didn’t stop me, and now the decision was mine. The next day I told Stephanie that if ( and that was a very big if) I did it there would be one condition: she couldn’t tell anyone. After all, we didn’t want anyone knowing we were cheerleaders. The idea was practically unspeakable.

I spent all night thinking. Even though I wouldn’t admit it, in the pit of my stomach and pushed far to the back of my brain, I really did want to try it out. It was something new and different. On the other hand, it was something new and different. Maybe I’d stay with the sports I’d done since kindergarten, playing with the people I’d known even longer. Cheerleading held too much uncertainty. What if I didn’t like it, or the kids didn’t like me, or I was just really, really bad? There was too much to worry about.

I couldn’t make up my mind, and neither could Lene. We decided we’d go to one practice. Just to watch, of course, to see what this really was all about, and if it was worth a shot. The twenty minute car ride there seemed to stretch on for hours. We sat in the back seat, nervously tapping our fingers and staring out the window, as Stephanie, in the front seat, talked continuously to no one in particular. My nerves had taken over. I imagined a bunch of catty girls laughing at me as soon as I entered. I pictured scenes from the Bring It On movies.

The car parked, and her mom wished us luck. I braced myself for the worst, while hoping for the best. The door swung open and I held my breath.

The ride home that night was completely different than the one there, and much less dramatic. We smiled and laughed, joking about Lene and I attempting dances, unsuccessful, but hilarious.

Looking back on this now distant memory, we overreacted. Cheerleading wasn’t some huge secret, not an embarrassment, and the sport was definitely not as easily done as said, as I quickly discovered. Just one practice in, but I was hooked. And I didn’t care who knew.