"ALifeChangingEvent"
Therearemanyeventsthatstandoutinmylifethatweresignificantandhelpedmegrowstronger Oneoftheseeventsstandsoutinparticulartomeandhadthegreatestimpactinmylife.WhenI attendedhighschoolmyfocuswasneverontheacademicsbutonlyonsportsandhavingfunwith myfriends.Ineverpayedattentionformorethanfivesecondsandfailedtocompleteanytypeof workgiventome.Mylackofcareforhighschoolaffectedmeongoingtoafouryearcollege, playingasportincollege,andtakingremedialclassesFirstoffwhenone'sgradesarepooritis extremelyhardtogetintoafouryearcollege.Iwouldsitinallofmyforty–fiveminuteclasses doodling,tellingjokes,andjust...showmorecontent...
Thethoughtofaskinganyofmyteachersforlettersofrecommendationwasnotevenanoption anymorebecausetheyknewmypersonalityandworkethic.AllthroughouthighschoolIwas involvedinsports.IexcelledinfootballandlacrossethroughoutthefouryearsIattendedmyhigh school.Ihadnoproblemgoinghomestudyingfootballplaysforhoursandlookingtomakemyself betterforthenextgameorpractice.Icouldrecitedefensesandoffenseswithnoproblem,butgive meamathproblemanditwasasifitwasinanotherlanguageUnlikemyteachersIgotalongwith mycoacheswellandtheywouldbewillingtohelpmegetintoagoodschooltofurthermyplaying skills.Thatisinrealityonlyabouttwentyfivepercentofwhatyouneedtogetintocollege.Ilacked theotherseventyfivepercentofdoingatleastaverageinacademicsandbeingawellrounded student.Ihadsomeschoolscontactmeaboutplayinglacrosseattheirschoolbutoncetheyhad heardIhadn'ttakentheSAT'syetandthatmygradeswerealittleabovefailingtheirinterestlevel dropped.IbelievethatIpotentiallythrewawaysomeopportunitiesthatcouldhavereallybenefitted metoday.EvenifIwouldhavepayedattentiontheslightestbitIcouldhaveeasilyachievedB'sand C'sIhadmyprioritiesmixedupanditreallycamebacktobitemefouryearsdowntheroadIn additiontothosetwoofthemanyproblemsaIfacedanotherproblemarosequickly.Nearingthe endof
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EssayaboutALifeChangingEvent
Weallhavelifechangingeventshappeninourlives.Sometimeit'sjustacertainmomentofadayor maybesequenceofeventsthathappenoverafewdays.Formeiwentonilifechanging3week journeytohelpfindmyselfanddiscoverhowiwanttobe.IwouldliketointroduceyoutotheCLP (counselorLeadershipprogram).Herewearetrainedtobecomebetterleaders,Trainedtobe lifeguards,andgothroughilifechangingexperienceclimbinga13,000ftmountainwethenew brotherandsisteryoucreateduringtheprogram.WithinthefirstfewhoursofarrivingatCLPyou alreadyknoweveryone'snameandhobbiesandyouarealreadystartingtomakeconnectionswith thesepeoplethatyoujustmetItwasn'teasyformetobeabletoputmyselfouttherelikethatIm wasveryshyandtimidandwasalwayssoselfawareofwepeoplemightthinkofmeifisaythe wrongthing.Butiwasdeterminedtochange.Iwasdeterminedtobemorecomfortableinmyown bodyandtobemoreconfident.Sowhenitcamemyturntointroducemyselftothegroupalli wantedtodowasshowthatiwasconfident,butididn't.Italkedreallysoftandwasnervousand afteritwasmyturniwasjustprayingnoonewaslookingatmeAllicouldthinkwasjusthow muchifailed,buttheirwasonethingkeepingmepositiveandthatwasthattherewasnowheretogo butup.Iwatchedforthenext30minutes.Everyonesofreelyintroducingthemselvesandshowing howconfidenttheyareintheirownskin.Butisooncometofindoutthatalmosteveryonetherewas dealingwiththesameproblemiwas,theyjustdidn'tshowit.
ThenextweekandahalfwewouldspendalldaylifeguardtrainingFivehoursintheclassroomand 5hoursinthewatereveryday.Sobeingwiththesamegroupofpeoplefor10hoursaday,youtend tofigurethingsoutaboutpeopleandreallygettoknoweachother.Onethingyoulearninschoolis thatonelifeguardcan'tdoitallIttakesateamandthisteamareyourpeersandafterifiguredthat outiknewiwasgoingtohavetogetoutofmycomfortzoneandmakefriendsandcommunicate.It wasn'teasybutnothinginlifeiseasy.Butslowlyandsurelyibecamemorecomfortableandcreated 37new
ReflectionOnLifeChangeInMyLife
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Everyonehasthatoneexperiencethatmakesthemlookatlifewithanewsetofeyes.Mylife changingexperiencehappenedalittleearlierthanmost.Itwasthesummerbeforefirstgrade.We hadgottenanexceptionalamountofraininthepastmonthseventhoughitwassummerIdidnot notice,though,becausesummerwaseverysixyearold'sfavoriteholiday,nexttoChristmasand theirbirthday.Mysummerwassupposedtobelikeanyotherbutitquicklytookaturn.Forthebest orfortheworst?Thatisdebatable
June8th,2008wasthedaymywholelifeturnedupsidedown.ItwasahotandhumidSunday afternoon.Myblond,curlyheadedsixyearoldselfwastakinganaponthecouchinourlivingroom withahugewindowthatlookedoutoverourfrontyard.Iusedtolovetostandatthatwindow duringthesummerandlookatthebustlingneighborhood.Mymomandlittlesisterweretakinga walkaroundtheneighborhood,whilemydadwasinourgaragetinkeringwithsomething Aroundthreeo'clock,mymomandsistercamerunningintothehousethroughthefrontdoor.This maysoundnormalbutmyfamilyalwayscameinthroughthegarage,unlesswewereinahurry.My momwokemeupwhilemysisterrepeatedsomethingthatIcouldnotdecipherIttookacouple minutesformybraintoregisterwhatshehadsaid.
Shekeptrepeating,"There'swaterinthestreet"
Myinitialthoughtwasthatitwasraining.Myyoungerselfcouldnotgrasptheconceptofraging watersflowingdownasuburbanstreet.So,Ijumpedoffthecouchandrantothegiantwindowin ourlivingroomIpeekedthroughtheblindsFromwhatIcouldseetheneighborhoodwas completelynormal.ThenIsawit.
Severalpeoplefromtheneighborhoodwerestandingoutsideontheirfreshlycutlawns,yellingto eachother.
Mydadheardalloftheruckussohecameinandasked,"What'sgoingon?What'sallthatoutside?"
So,mymomturnedonthetvtothenewschannelandsatdownonthecouchOneofthereporters wasstandingsomewherethatIrecognizedastheplaceIhadlivedinmywholelife.Whywould theyneedtocometoColumbus?NothingeverhappensinColumbus.Iwondered.
Iaskedmymom,"What'sgoingon?Whyarethosepeoplehere?"
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Inmylife,Ihavebeenexposedtoachallengecalledchange.Changecanoccurinmanydifferent waysandisdealtwithinmanydifferentways.Ihavecometotheawarenessthatchangecanbethe deepestofallthings.Ialwaysthoughtthatchangeoccurredwhenyoumovedtoastateorwhenyou lostsomeonerealclosetoyou.Thoseareachallengetochange,yes,butchangedoesn'thaveto occuroveraclimacticincidentItcanjustappearovernightwhenyourbrainwindsupwhenit'stime todosomethingdifferent.Evenwithfriendsthatyouusedtohaveandknowthatmoveon.For example,mostofmyfriendsfromelementaryschool,Idon'teventalktothemanymore.For obviousreasons,peoplewillturndownthechangesinlifeshowmorecontent
It'sdepressinghowthisworks,butit'sprobablythemostreasonwhypeoplechange.It'smuchlike peerpressurewhichusuallyendsupinthewrongdirection.Forexample,Iwasalmostpeer pressuredtoconsumealcoholandtodosmoking.Fortunately,forme,Iescapedthatchangeand didn'texperienceit.Thepeopleweadoreloveussomuchthattheywantustoremainthewaywe areforeverLikehowmymotheralwayswantedmetostaythesamelittlechild,butIgrewupNot allpeoplecanstaythesameforalongtime.Ifthepeopleweloveandadorewouldjustacceptthe changeandgowithit,theywouldunderstandwherethechangewascomingfrom.Itcanbeshakyto trytostopchangeandfightagainstit,especiallyifthepersonwantstochangealot.WhenIwas readyforhighschool,Iwasexpectedtochangealmosteverythinginmylife.Thereasonthat somebodywantstochangeisusuallynottheirchoice,butafeelingthatthepersonfeelsinsidetheir head.Maybethechangeisn'tthebestchange,butifyoudigdeeper,thepersonthatyouadoreisn't reallychanging.Theyarejusttryingtofindthemselvesandtheonethingtheyneedthemostisthe supportofthepeoplewhotheycareaboutthemostWhenIwasattendingcollege,Iwasexpectinga lotofchangingtotakeplace.Withthesupportofmyfamilyandfriends,itwasnobigdealforme. Whenthepeopletheycareaboutthemost,detachtheirchangeas
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ChangesinLifeEssay
ALifeChangingExperience
AnkitBhardwaj ENG111–13D
Mr.Treanor
10November2017
Essay1draft3
Alife–changingexperience "Everyonethinksthatanewplaceoranewidentitywilljumpfastanewlife."–CarolineLeavitt. Mystorystartsintheyear2017whenIdecidedtofollowuponmydreamandgotoafar–away land,calledtheUnitedStatesofAmerica.Myjourneyisfullofnewsurprisesanddiscoveriesofa worldsodifferentfromtheoneIamleavingbehind,withitsownbeliefsandculture.Thisisthe storyofaneighteen–yearboyandhisfirstencounterwithanewsociety,hisfirsttimeawayfrom homeandfamily.Itwasnotaneasydecisionmovingtoadifferentcountry,leavingbehind everythingandeverybody,butIhadtheanxietyoftravelingandseeingthisnewworldthatIhad seenonlyinthemovies,thelandofChristopherColumbus,whereIndiansandAfrican–Americans livedunifiedonavastterritory.Istillrememberthefeelingwhenmyparentssaidthatweare movingtoAmerica.ItwasthetimewhenIfelteverythingaroundtheworldhadbeenstopped,andI didnotknowwhatIshoulddonext.Iwasunabletodecidewhetherlifewasmakingmemove forwardoritwouldcausemetofacemoretroublethanachievementIwasamazedbylookingatthe Diversityofpeople.Iknewthatthereweredrasticchangeswhichwouldbearisinginmylifewhich Iseemedthatitwashardtodigest,butitseemedthattheUSAabsorbseveryoneintheircolorsand culturesowasI,inthemélange
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LifeChangingChoices"Whatareyourplansafterhighschool?"Thisquestionisaskedtoseniors moretimesthantheycancount.Foralotofstudents,thisquestionisfollowedbytheanswer"Ihave noidea."Therearesomanydecisionsthatwillchangetheirentirelife.Theynotonlyhavetochoose wheretoliveforthenextseveralyears,buttheyalsohavetodecidewhattheywanttodowiththe restoftheirlivesForme,thisdecisionisverydauntingUniversityofFindlay,Franciscan UniversityofSteubenville,andWrightStateUniversityareallgreatschools;however,duetoits manyopportunities,WrightStateisthebestfitforme.Thefinancialaspectofcollegeisabigfactor inmydecisionofwheretogoUniversityofFindlayhasthehighestgrosscostoftuitionandroom andboardat$43,040("UndergraduateCharges").Thisnumberisquitedauntingbuttheamountof meritscholarshipsofferedisveryhelpful.Mybrotheriscurrentlyastudentthere,andwiththehelp ofscholarshipsandlivingathome,heshouldbeabletofinishundergraduateschoolwithoutdebt (LaFontaine,Ethan).FranciscanUniversityofSteubenvillehasanannualtotalcostof$34,370 ("FinancialAid&Costs")Sadly,therearenotasmanyscholarshipopportunitiesatthisuniversity FormycurrentACTscoreandGradePointAverage,Iwouldreceive$8,000persemester("Student FinancialServices").WrightStateUniversityhasanannualcostof$30,624year("Undergraduate
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LifeChangingChoice:LifeChangingChoices
LifeChangingMoments
"Lifeislikeaboxofchocolates;youneverknowwhatyou'regoingtoget."(ForrestGump).
Experiencesreceivedthroughoutlifearerandomatbestandnotknowingwhichdelectabletreatsare sweet,Ibracemyselfforwhatmayturnouttobelife–changing.Fromthesebitterandsweet occurrences,mylifeconstantlyreshapesthewayIinterpretandreacttosimilarsituationsthatarise. Lifealteringeventschangemybehaviorduetotheoutcomeofdecisionsmade,opportunitiesmissed andphonecallsreceived.Mytrustinsalesmenwasdestroyedaftermakingadecisiontobuyaused car.Shortlyafterpurchasingapre–ownedSubaruWRXthesoundchildrenplayingwithmetalpans cameblaringfromunderneathmycarhoodIimmediatelypulledovertothesideoftheroadwitha quickturnofthesteeringwheel.CallingtripleAAA,Ihadmycartowedtotheclosestautoshop deemed(byanoperatorlocatedinanotherstate)professionalenoughtofixmycar.Thetowtruck droppedmeoffatalittleblue–collarautoshoppaintedbrightyellow.Iwaswelcomedbyamanthat hadroughsandpaperhands,stunkofmotoroil,andworeanametagthatreadJeff.Themechanic's silvertonguerousedmybeliefinhisabilitytotakecareofmeandafterwhatfeltlikedaystheoily mechanicreturnedwithhisfindings."WellMr.Lovato"Jeffsaid,"Youhavealemononyourhands becausethemotorisbad."Inthatmoment,Idecidedtoalwaysbeskepticalofthetruthasa consequenceofa
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LifeChangingExperience
AWonderfulLifeChangingExperience
KimberlyManuel
AmericanInterContinentalUniversity
LifeChanging2
Abstract
Thisessayisamajorpartofmylife,anditmeanstheworldtome.SoIwanttosharemyexperience ofmegettingmarriedand/orbeingmarried.IwillbeinformativewithhowitcametowhereIam todayofbeingmarriedandhowIhavelearnedfrompriormistakesthatwasmadeinmylife.AndI willalsotellhowourloveforeachotherhasgrownstrongerandhowwehavebecomecloserinour pathoflife.Thisisahardjourneytoaccomplishandmakeitlastalifetime.
LifeChangingExperience3
AWonderfulLifeChangingshowmorecontent
LifeChangingExperience4
OurmarriagebeganonawarmsunnydayDrivingtothecourthouse,Icouldfeelmyheart poundingsohardasthoughitwasgoingtobeatrightoutofmychest.Itfeltlikebutterflies flutteringoverabreezymeadow.Thecloserthetimegotforustosayoursacredvowstoeachother; myheartfeltlikearosebloomingendlessly.AsIturnedtohimandthejudgepronouncedusman andwife,IfeltlikeIwasoncloudnine.Ourmarriageisfullofsurprisesandhappiness.The blessingsofourmarriagebeganwhenwewereblessedwithanothersonWelearnedatruelesson onhowtobethebestparentsthatwecouldbetotheseboys.Icouldtellhewasscaredaboutbeinga father.Heisawonderfulfathertotheboys;helovestogooutandshootbasketball,andkickaround asoccerballwiththemintheyardHetriestobeadecentfatherfigureintheirlivesBeingableto teachtheboysrightfromwrongisanotherlessonforustolearnascouple.Therearetimeshehasto disciplinethemforthingsthattheydowrongWealwaysdoourbesttoworkasateamtoworkout ourdisagreements.Ifoundforustoworkasaneffectiveteam,wehavetolistentoeachother's perspectivesandfindtheprosandconstoourdisagreement.Thepresentishere,thefutureisto comewithmoreblessingsforourmarriageEverytimeIlookatmyhusband,hestillcontinuesto make ...Getmorecontent...
LifeChangingMoment
LifeChangingMomentEversinceIcanrememberIspentalmosteverydayatmyGrandparents house.Theyliverightdowntheroadfrommyfamilyandme,andthatishowtheygotthetitle "GrandmaandGrandpadowntheroad".Theylivedinasmallhousethreebedrooms,onebathroom, andasmalllivingroomwithafireplacethatcanwormthecoldestheart.Andintheirbackyard stoodashedfilledwitholdfarmequipmentandstraycatswiththeirkittensthatIwouldtrytocatch everyday.Theyarenowboth78yearsoldandsadlynotveryhealthy.Mygrandpawasdiagnosed withlungcancerinOctober,anditchangedmygrandpa'slife,myfamily'slife,andmylife.I rememberthatOctoberdaysoperfectlyIgotoutofclass,calledmyshowmorecontent Hestartedthisfamilyprettymuchandtojusthavetowaitisgoingtobethemostdifficultthingthat Ihaveeverhadtodo.ImisshimsomuchandIcan'twaittogohomeoneweekendandhughim.I stopatmygrandparents'housefirsteverytimeIgohome.Iswingthebackdooropenandruninand greetthemwithabighug.Eventhoughnowhislife,myfamily'slife,andmylifeareforever changedhewillstillstrongonourheartsNowallwecandoiswait,hope,andpraythatgoddoesn't takethePaynefamily'srockawayjustyet,hehasthemostlovingfamilyandwife.Andeventhough mygrandpadoesn'tsaymuchIwishhewouldsayjustoncethathelovesmeandthatheisproudto callmehisgrandchild,forIamtheyoungestandlastPaynethatwilleverwalkthisearthanddirt roadofAChighwayorwhatmeandmyfamilycall"Payne
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Firstdayoftherestofmylife,mystomachisinknotsandIcan'tseemtodoanythingwithmyhair. Ihaveallmypens,papers,notebooksandothermiscellaneousitemsstuffedintomybrandnewblue bookbag.Mymotherisdownstairsonthepatiodrinkinghermorningteawatchingtheworldwake up.Igavemybrandnewshoesaquickshine,checkedmyhairaboutthreemoretimeseachtime findingsomethingnewwrongMotheryellsatmefromdownstairs"You'regoingtomissthe bus!"
Thebus!Ican'tbelievemyears.Ican'tshowuptohighschoolonmyfirstdaybyridingthebus.I wasscaredIneededmymothertodrivemetoschoolSomehowknowingmymotherwasgoingto betherepartofthewaymadeitalittlebiteasier...showmorecontent...
Thefirstdayofhighschoolwentoverwithablast.Myclasseswerejustfineandmyteacherswere supreme.Everyonewasjustsoniceandfriendly.IonlycriedoncewhenIcouldn'tfindanyofmy classes.Thebellhadrungeveryonescatteredofftohisorherassignedrooms,everyoneexceptme.I wasstuckinthemiddleofthecourtyardtryingtofigureouttheschoolmappingsystemFrustrated andembarrassedIbrokedownintearsandrantothenearestrestroom.Thedaycontinuedfromthat pointonahappynote.Icouldnotwaittogethometotellmymotherallaboutmyday.Asthe dismissalbellrung,Ihurriedofftofindtherightbustogohome.IwasfrightenedthatIwouldget onthewrongbusandendupontheothersideoftown.UneasyIaskedfourdifferentpeoplewhere bus647wasparkedAsIenteredthebusIrecognizedfamiliarfacesofthosefrommyjuniorhigh Somefriendlyandsomenotsonice.Itookmyplaceinmiddleofthebusandglancedoutthe windowwatchingthetreesandcarsgoby.AsthebusgrewclosertomystopIbecamemoreand moregiddywithexcitementIcouldnotwaittotellmymotheraboutmynewadventureAssoonas thebuswasoutofsight,Iranallthewayhomewithahugesmileonmyfacefromeartoearlikea Chestercat.AsIrandownthestreetInoticedshatteredpiecesofglassallovertheroadandachunk onthestreetlawnmissing.Itlookedasifahugebulldozerrode
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EssayonALifeChangingExperience
HowAdversityChangedMyLife
Throughoutlife,weallbecomeacquaintedwithlifealteringexperiences,somechangingusforthe better,othersfortheworse.Itisourjob,asindividuals,toeitherlearnanddevelopinthefaceof theseexperiencesortodismissthemwithoutlookingback.Theyarewhatshapeourverycharacter, ourfoundationforthefuture.Withoutthem,we'dbeemptyshells,individualswithoutanysubstance toguidethemEventhoughIamstillquiteyoung,I'vealreadyhadquitemyfairshareofthese experiences,andforthatIamextremelythankful.Academics,communityserviceandadversity;all havecontributedtomydevelopmentinoneshapeoranother.Withouttheseexperiences,Iwould notbetheselfthatIknowmyselftobeNothingisofgreaterimportance
Ifeelasifadversityhasplayedthegreatestroleinshapingmycharacterandpersonality.Mayitbe financialinstability,parentalproblems,orevenjustplainstress,theyhavealltaughtmevaluable lessonsthatIwillcherishforyearstocome.Myfamilyhasalwayshadtrouble,bothwithfinancial stabilityandfamilialstabilityWe'veneverbeenabletodoallofthethingsthatnormalfamiliesget todo.Forexample,Idon'trememberthelasttimemyfamilywentonagenuinevacation,letalonea vacationwillallofustogether.Thisalsoplaysaroleinourfamilialinstability.Wearebynomeans aclose–knitfamily:wefighteveryday,weneverspendqualitytimetogether,andwearealways holedupin
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Changecanoftenbeadifficultthingforeveryonetoaccept.Nomatterhowbigorsmall,sadly manyofusfearit.Theworryinchangecanbeseenevidentlyinthatfriendunsureofhisfutureafter highschool,orthatfamilymemberwhostumbleswhenaskedwhattheywouldliketoeat,onlyto orderthesamethingtheyhaveorderedthelast10times.Frommovingtoanothercity,toorderinga differentmealatyourfavoriterestaurant,everyonewillhavethatimportantdatewithchangeThe differenceisinhoweachpersondecidestohandleit.Someliketowalkhertothedoorandgiveher akissgoodnight,someevenrefusetoacceptit'shappening,andsomedon'tevenshowup.Iamone ofthosepeople,emailingthat"Ijustcan'tmakeshowmorecontent
Maybeitisanewjob,orthepromiseofseeingoldfriends.Movingisaperfectexampleofhowpain andchangecanequalgain.Althoughdifficulttoaccept,sometimesembracingtheoddvariationcan berewarding.
Asayoungboy,friendsaremadequickly,generallywithoutanythought.A TonkaTruckrear–endsanotherTonkaTruckandwithintwominutesofsandboxhitandrunsanew friendismade.ThesamecannotbesaidofHighschool.Thosefriendsyoumadeinelementaryare stillyourfriendswhenyoufirstenterintohighschool.Butslowlytheydriftoffintotheabyss, slippingintowithdifferentcliquesandbeforeyouknowit,youareputonthebackburner.Youfeel forced,worriedandarefairlysurethatrear–endingagradscarwillnotwork.Thisisyetanother perfectexampleofchange,thatanyonethat'severbeentohighschoolhasprobablyfaced Acceptingthissortadjustmentwillteachyounewskills,andalotaboutyourself.Makingnew friendscanbehardoreasy,dependingonhowyoutackletheproblem.Changeissimplyatool,itis youwhodecideswhattomakewithit
Asonegrowsuptheymaylearnthatmovingcanbringabetterlife,newfriendscanbemore rewardingthanthelast,orthatbigchangesareessentialtoproperdevelopmentandprogression.An obviousexampleofmaturationiswhenonereleasesthattheycannotrewritetheirbeginning,but theycaninfactchange
ChangeisDifficult,butInevitableinLifeEssay
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LifeChangingEvents
LIFECHANGINGEVENTSInthisessayyouhadtheoptiontochoosealifeeventthathaschanged
you.ButIchosetogivealistofeventsthathasmademewhoIaminsteadofjustoneeventthat changedalittlepartaboutme.Thisessaywillshowwhathashappenedinmylifeformetobethe wayIamtothisday.Thisisme.Firstofalltherewasmygradesevencamp.AlthoughIhavean unclearrecollectionofthecampIstillremembertheimportantbitsOnethingwhichIknowforsure isthatIneverreallywantedtogoonthecamp.Theschoolteachersandmyparentshadtoforceme togo.TwodaysbeforethecampstartedIdecidedtogo.ThebigreasonwhyIdidn'twanttogowas becauseIwasveryshyanddidn'tlikeshowmorecontent Itsamazinghowmuchthingsurememberaboutyourchildhoodifyoujustsitdowncarefullythink aboutit.TheeventsthatI'vementionedareprobablytheonlyonesthathavemademewhomIam. Whoknows,ifI'm25yearsoldmaybetherewillbemanymore.Maybeaneventorchangeistaking placerightnowandImightonlyrealizeitlateron.Iknowthatsomeoftheeventshavechangedme forthebetterandsomeforworsebutwhatIdoknowisthatitmademewiserIfyouthinkabout carefullyifIhaveanothertensimilareventslikethesebeforeI'm21,couldyouimaginehowwise andhowknowledgeableIwouldbe?Thoseweretheeventswhichhavemostinfluencedmeand mademewhomIamtothisvery
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Name:NadaOsamaAskar
ID:1610103
Section:5
ALife–changingExperienceLookingatthatsmallbuildingthatheldtoomanybigmemories,I startedreminiscingaboutthepastandrememberingeverylittledetail.Ifeltverynostalgic. Everythingseemedmemorableandremarkabletome:thecracksintheoldbuildingthatweusedto makefunof,theoldcandyshopthatweusedtocometoatnightwhenwearetootiredandtoo hungrytostudy,thepushesandthetinygardenweusedtositatandstareatthestars,theroofwe usedtosneaktointhemiddleofthenightjustwanderingandtalkingabouteverything,andof coursetheplaygroundwhereweusedtorun,play,dance,laughandcryinundertheeveningsky, andeventheschoolbuildingandthedarkclasseslookednicetomeEverythingheldsomany memoriesofus.Iknewthatbeingataboardingschoolwouldchangemeonsomanylevels,butit neveroccurredtomethatmostofthechangewouldbethankstomyfriends,andIamgoingtotalk aboutwhatIlearntfromeachoneofthemThemostimportantthingIlearntinthisschoolisshow morecontent...
Ihadaspecialbondtoeachoneofthem,andIlearntsomuchfromthemandfrombeingwiththem CliveStaplesLewisoncesaid,"Friendship...isbornatthemomentwhenonemansaystoanother "What!Youtoo?Ithoughtthatnoonebutmyself...",andthatishowmyfriendshipwithMai started"Sheismysoulmate!"IremembersayingthattomyselfwhenIfirstmetherItwasthefirst impressionIrememberhavingaboutherotherthanbeingoneoftheskinniestpeopleIhaveever met.Maiwasmyfirstrealfriendintheschool;wehadsomanythingsincommonwhichhelpedus startafriendshipthathasgonethroughlotsofupsanddownswhichonlymadeourfriendship stronger.Iremembertalkingtoheronceinourlastyear;Iwasexhaustedandtiredof
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MylifechangingexperienceallbeganonJune3,2014whenIwasaFreshmaninhighschooland thingsweren'tgoingthebest.StrugglesthroughhighschoolareverycommonbutformeIdealt withthingsIcouldn'tevenhandleIstruggledrelentlesslyallthroughhighschoolandwithmyhome lifeaswell,butIwasneverpreparedforwhathappenedthatsummerwhenIwas14.Growingup everyonearguesandfightswiththeirparents,somedon'tevenhavefunctioningrelationshipswith theirparentsHoweverfororme,mydadwasn'treallyaroundandmymotherstruggledwith addiction.ThingsbegantotakeaturnfortheworstonMother's'Day,whenIhadcomehomefrom beingovermybestfriend,Paige'shouseallweekend.Iknewthat...showmorecontent... OnceoutsideIjustifiedwhyIleft,whatoccurredthatnight,andwhyIwasgoingtocontinuetostay withKaren.TheytookmedowntothestationwhereItoldthemaboutmypreviousfamilyissues,in whichtheylateragreedtoletmegobacktoPaige'shomeTheverynextdayIwassittingin BiologyclasswhenIhadgottenatextfrombothPaigeandhermomsayingallbutfourwords, "everythingwillbeokay".ButbythattimeIknewitwasn't.Andthisiswheremyinvoluntary FosterCarestorybeginsIwasplacedintoagrouphomeonJune3rd2014,andthat'swheremylife begantochange.OnecanonlyimaginehowthatmustfeelandasmuchasIwasupset,scared, angryandsoon,ItriedtokeepitcontainedIneverthoughtitcouldevergettothatpoint,butwhile IwasthereImetmyfostersisterwholaterbecameareallyclosefriend,Kerri.Asyoucould imaginewhenIfirstgotthereandevenforthefollowingcoupleofweeks,Iwasreticentandclosed offIhadneverbeeninasituationlikethisandIjustwantedtobewithmybestfriendwhereifelt safe.Overthecourseof7months,Iwentthroughmanycourtdatesandatremendousamountof anguish.Iwentabout5monthswithouttalkingtomymotheranditwastrulytorturesome, especiallynotbeabletogohome.ManythingscamemywaywhileIwasawayandoverthecourse oftimeIbecameclosewithKerriand
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LifeChangingExperienceInLife
Formany,alifechangingmomentcomesintheformofatragedyorahard–earnedrevelation.Mine cameintheformofafive–year–oldgirlnamedSofia.Sofiaspentmostofhertimeintheoncology wardofthehospitalwhereIvolunteered.Herdaysconsistedofsterilehospitalrooms,scans,and chemotherapy.Shewaslosingherhairbecauseofchemowhenmostgirlsheragewerelearning howtobraidtheirsSheplayedwithadoll(MrButtons)inherhospitalroominsteadofplaying withotherchildren.Sofiawasn'tlonelyinthetraditionalsense.Family,friends,andevenstrangers visitedthelittlegirl,butcouldbarelyinteractwithher.Mostofthetime,shewastootiredtoplay and,whenshefinallymusteredtheenergy,shefoundherselfbehindaglasspanelThedoctors thoughtitbesttokeepSofiaisolated,tominimizeherchancesoffallingillinheralreadyfeeble condition.And,indeed,thisishowIinteractedwithSofiaforamonth.Weekafterweek,hourafter hour,I'dgototheglasswalltoseeifshehadawokenandwouldspendanhourthatfeltlike seconds,playingwithher.Isupposethat'srelativityforyou.Sofiawasboththehighlightand heartbreakofmyweekCommentslike,"Poorthing"and"It'sjustnotfair"wereheardasoftenas theincessantbeepingofthemonitors.Talkischeap,andpitydoesn'tmakeprogress.Ihadtodo something.Itisveryraretocomeacrossanopportunitytomakeafundamentalchangeinthelives ofthousands.I
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MYLIFECHANGINGDECISIONROSSBROWNENGL1301–270SUSANROBBINS4/2/2013
Itwasthebeginningofspringabouttwoyearsago–awetandgloomyday.Iwasthirtytwoyears old,strungoutonmethandhomeless.Headedbacktoprisonforthethirdtime,Iwasfacedwitha lifechangingdecision,"doIturnmyselfin"or"doIkeeprunningandtakemychances".Itwasa decisionthatwouldaffecttheonesIlovethemost,mychildrenAsIsatinthewoodsbehindarun down,druginfestedmotel,IclosedmyeyesandallIcouldseewerethetearsinmykidseyesevery timetheycametoseemeinprison.Theonesthatdependedonmeforloveandsecurity,werenow sadandscaredshowmorecontent
Theygavemethreemealsadayandahardmattosleepon.Theyprovidedtransportationandthe opportunitytobecomestable,ifyouwantedit.Iwanteditbad!Itwouldrequirealotofeffortand determinationtomakeitthroughthesystemsuccessfully.Notmanyexfelonsmakeit.Theylooked atmeasanotherstatisticwhenIfirstarrived.Youonlyhaveacertainamountoftimetogetajob andstartyourrecoveryIstruggled,nobodywantedtohirearecoveringexconIwasstartingto thinkIwasnotgoingtomakeit.Iwasattheendofthedeadline,theywerewantinggoaheadand sendmebacktoprison.Ontheverylastdaythephonerang,itwasBillOrrwithGymBleacher Boards.Heaskedmetocomeinrightawayforaninterview.Ihadtogetpermissionfromthejob coordinatorinorderforthattohappen.Hewasnotwantingtogivemethislastchanceatgettinga jobThenoutofnowheremycaseworker,MsWoodson,showedupandsaid"justgivehimthis onelastchancebeforeyousendhimback".WhenIarrivedatGymBleacherBoards,Iwasnervous andhadmixedemotionsabouteverything.AsIsattherewaitingonmyinterviewwithBill,Isaida littleprayertomyself,"Lord,pleaseletmegetthisjob,notforme,butformychildren"Billcame outofhisofficeandcalledmeinandIwasupfrontabouteverything.Bythetimetheinterviewwas over,weweretalkingasifwehadknowneachotherforyears.Thenhe
MyLife-ChangingDecisionEssay
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Weallgothroughhardtimesbutitisabouthowyoulookatthembecauseyoucanmakelightin everysituation.Itisabouthowyouletthoseroughtimesdeterminethetypeofpersonyouare gonnabewhentheyareoverThereisapointineveryone'slives,whentheirlifewillcompletely shiftbecauseofsomemajoreventthathappenedtothem.Thatsituationdoesnothavetodetermine whoyouwillbeorwhatyouwilldo.Youcannotdwellonpasteventsbecauseitwillonlyhurtyou inthelongrunWeneedtogrowfromthosetypeofthingsbecauseeverysituationistemporary Tobeginwith,mylifechangingexperiencewaswhenmyparentsgotintomotorcycleaccident,that killedmydad.Theywereonthewayhomefromarestaurant,onhighwaytwowhenmydadpassed outonthebike.Bothofmyparentswerethrownoff.Mydadwasthrownintothecornfieldandwe thinkhelandedonsomethinghardortheimpactofbeingthrownoffwastoostrong.Hehadbroken multiplebonesandwentintomultipleorganfailure,whichforcedthedoctorstoputhimintoa inducedcoma.Mymomwasluckier,shewalkawayfromtheaccidentwithjusttwobrokenarms. Shewasreleasedfromthehospitalwithinthefirstcoupledays.Secondly,theaccidenthappenedon Fridaythe13th,thesummerof2014IwastwelveyearsoldandItalkedtomyDadforthelasttime ever,thenightbeforetheaccident.Thelastthingwesaidtoeachotherwas,"goodnightanddonot letthebedbugsbite,Iloveyou"Isawmymomthedayoftheaccident,wewenttoeatbutmyDad wasworkingallnight.Afterthat,mymomdroppedusoffatourcousinsforasleepoversoshe couldmeetupwithmydad.Laterthatnight,Igotacallfromarandomnumber,whichInever usuallyanswerrandomnumbersbutIhadastrongfeelingthatIshouldWhenIanswered,my parentsfriendwascryingandtryingtoexplaintomethatmyparentsgotintoabadaccident,atthat pointIhadtogivemycousinthephonebecauseIwasawreck.Afterthat,wewenttoPorter MemorialHospitalwheremymomwasbutIwouldsoonfindoutmydadwasnot.Isawmymom thatnightbutnotmydaduntilthedayhepassedaway.Iwillneverforgetthewaymyparentsboth ...Getmorecontent...
LifeChangingExperience
AboutoneyearagoIhadalifechangingexperience,atriptoalittletowncalled KerryontheoutskirtsofDublin,Ireland.ItwasthemostbeautifulplacethatIhaveeverseen.Being inthepresenceofsuchbeautyhelpedmeseelifefromadifferentperspectiveIwasjustgoingtobe happy,appreciatewhatIhave,beopen–minded,nottakeanythingforgranted,andloveeveryone andeverything.WhenIcamebackfrom
IrelandIwastrulyhappy,nothingcouldmakemeupsetButafterawhilemyconstantelationcame toagradualend,butIwassoontofindthateventhoughmyelationendedIwasgoingtobea happy,loving,andopen–mindedpersonforever.Andtherewaseverydayinfluenceslikeshow morecontent
Someonedoesn'tdiefor somethingtheydon'tappreciate.WhenIthinkaboutthosemoviesIamreallyhappy,becauseIam lucky,free,andfreetoseizeanyopportunitythatcomesmyway.Artalsoremindsmeofmy happiness,asinglepieceofartworkcancaptureamomentofemotionorfeeling.ArtistslikeClaude Monetreallycaptureemotionwell,inthepainting,"TheStroll:CamilleMonet",Monetpainted Camillestandinginthemiddleofafield,itsoundssimpleButMonetdidsuchagoodjobthatthere seemstobemore,thereisemotion.Thatiswhatmakesartspecial,emotion,andthatIcanhavemy ownthoughtsaboutwhattheartististryingtosaythroughtheirpainting.IntheEdward Hopperpainting,"Route6"thereisarealwarmfeelingcomingfromitThatwarmfeelingisoneof thebestemotionsthatIhaveexperienced,theonlyothertimeIgetthatfeelingiswhennatureisat it'sbest(sunsets,sunrises,grassyfields,ect.).ThatbringsmetotheartistLizSexton,herpaintings ofnaturearesomeofthemostbeautiful,natural,anduniquepiecesofartthatIhaveeverseen.I thinkthatIamonoftheluckiestpeopleintheworldtobeabletoappreciatethisartisticbeauty,that initsselfmakesmeahappypersonThemostimportantinfluenceinmy
LifeChangingExperienceEssay
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PersonalNarrative:MyLifeChangingExperiences
Everyonewillundergoalifealteringexperienceatsomepoint.Itmayonlychangeasmallaspectof everydaylife,oritmaychangeeverything.Sometimesitisasurprise,othertimesitcanbepanned for;eitherway,nooneisreadyforthechangesthataresoontofollow.Alessonisalwaystaughtby theselifealteringexperiences,butnotalwayslearned.Irealizetragedyisinevitable,Iremember thatwhenIthinkaboutcancertakingmybestfriend,mymotherIwasyoungatthetime,butnever youngminded!Iknewwellbeyondmyyears,butIlearnedmorethananyteachercouldeverteach mewhenthatawfuldiseasewonthebattle.Mymommawasalwaysmyfavoriteperson,my confidant,andultimatelymyrideordieshowmorecontent
OnJanuary20,shereceivedacallthatIwasontheway;thatwasnotherfirstrodeothough,shehad alreadybeeninvolvedinfourotheradoptionswithmybrothersEddieandBryan,andmysisters CandyandNicole.Attheageof18,afterherfirstbornchild,shegotnewsthatshehadabrain tumorandwouldsoonhaveundergosurgery.Formost,thatwouldhaveendeddreamsabouthaving abigfamily,butnother,shesawthisasanopportunitytohelpmorepeopleSheknewchildren neededahomeandshehadonetogive.Thatisthetypeofpersonshewas,iftherewasawayto helpshewouldfindandpursueit.Shehadthebiggestheart,Ihaveeverhadtheprivilegeofbeinga partof.Mymotherhadmanyhonorabletraitsthatinclude:beinghumble,honest,andreliable.She gloatedofhersuccessormaterialitemsorrubitinpeople'sfacesnordidshethinkshewasbetter thananyothersoulMymotherwasbrutallyhonest,shedefinitelywasnotapersonIwouldwantto insultbecauseshehadnoproblemcallingsomeoneoutinfrontofacrowd.Shehadtheabilityto makesomeonefeelliketheywereeitherontoporcompletelyunderthe
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