Hot Rod

I remember just waiting and counting down the days to get my license. then the day came. I finally got it. I had been waiting for this day since I was 6. So, it was a pretty big deal if you ask me. For the longest time, my parents have been using the same excuse. Usually along the lines of, "when you drive yourself around, you can do what your want." Or "You can't go out because you're not the one who has to go out and pick up people; I do." It was a valid point so I couldn't complain, but I was agitated. When I got my license, it was a ticket of freedom. Ugh! finally.

 But then I realized something. I don't have a car. So... I saved up since my 14th Birthday. every little cash I got, I would save up and just put towards the car. I knew I didn't want a typical "1st" car.You know the ones with 5 dents and runs on 3 wheels and breaks down every 12 miles. When I rolled up, I wanted people to know. To know "Oh Mariah's here" just by looking at the car or hearing the engine from a block away. This whole DMV thing was new to me.Registering the car was a pain. Oh my... Such a pain.I can't explain enough. I waited for about 2 hours only to be told, I needed to come back because the machines were down.That was a joy. But it was fun, just pretending I was older.Well not really pretending but finally dealing with adult things, in which I hate more. The DMV is such a place I never wish to be. People cough all over me and the workers have no interest in helping people. 

  So about the car, I was looking for some cars from trucks to small vans. But inside, I knew the car that was for me. Since I was a young kid, I have always loved the loud, American cars. the "muscle cars." I am a 16 year old girl who loves men cars. And I'm proud. So I bought a taupe 2010 Mustang with an 8 cylinder engine with a shelled roof and speakers in the back and front with extra bass. I love that car. When you turn on the radio the ground shakes and the mirrors move along to the beat. It was weird knowing just 10 years ago a big purchase was a small soda flavored lipgloss, now  I am buying cars. It was a proud moment. I named him ROD. I named him that because he is my Ride Or Die. The first night I took him out for a spin, his  taupe coat turned a nice dark metal grey with an engine that shook the floor when I revved it. I've never had so many compliments by so many older men and had conversations about their old cars. This was the best present I could ever get myself. And every time I look at ROD it reminds me of a new milestone I just reached for the first time.The gas is the worst part, but I can't ask for too much. To this day,the car still smells like new leather. If anyone tries to come in the car they must follow these directions. I tell them they need to put their shoes in the trunk, no food or beverages unless they have a towel on their lap. And definitely no touching the radio. It might be a little much, but it needs to be done. I guess the only downside is now that I have a car, and a nice one at that, anytime I go out with my friends, we ALWAYS take my car. Which means more gas. Well, we all know how everyone acts with gas. 

Public Speaking? Pshh Try Public Dancing

In my opinion, Disneyland takes place of all amusement parks. Nothing will change my mind , not even Disney World. I remember this day crystal clear. From breakfast to the last dinner. It started with a morning at the pool like we always do on vacation. It was fun but I really wanted to go to  the long awaited Disney World . When we got there at 11 am it was already boiling. I saw sweating so much and felt the sun beating on my head. I've always wanted to here, and I finally was. But I never expected to be drenched with my own sweat. There was a cool little fairy ride to the park and once we got there I saw a plethora of rides and attractions. It overwhelmed me. We started off with eating popcorn then ice cream them a couple rides then some iced coffee. That was so needed. For a 16 year old to say they need coffee,  signifies something. I had a blast and recommend this for everyone once in their lifetime. I always feel like a princess coming to these places. I love smelling the over priced, diabetic based foods. Those are my favorite. I always come put weighing about 10 pounds heavier, but hey it's worth it. 

I remember something so clearly, that day. We walked past a Hawaiian part of Epcot and I was so happy. we usually go to Hawaii every year, but instead we went to disney world. For some reason I was so mesmerized by this part, It might've been the food smell because that always attracts me. I saw dancers dance some traditional steps and was happy that they actually had an authentic cultural place. All of  a sudden my mom yells that I knew how to dance, when they were asking for volunteers to perform. I wasn't really paying attention, then I was pushed on stage the next second. Everything happened so fast that I was so lost. I only realized I had been put on stage when I was looking at 1000 peoples faces. Then my heart dropped. Im usually good at performing in front of people, it gives me thrill, but Oh My God! I haven't danced in so long. What was my mom thinking to put me out there. I get to embarrassed to dance in front of my family at Christmas parties, what makes her think I could to it to thousands of strangers?! I was so uncomfortable. The MC was talking to me but I couldn't understand ANYTHING she was saying. I must've been as bright as a tomato. my feet were sweating and my palms had nail marks in them. I was getting warm, then BOOM! The beat of the first drum rung the stage. All of a sudden my right hip goes to the right like muscle memory. Then BOOM , the second beat and my hips swayed to the left. I guess it wasn't so bad after all. The song they performed was the song to my favorite dance when I was a kid. I was so lucky. Before I knew it, I was getting lost in the music and the dance ended. Everyone clapped and even the dancers were amazed. I was proud for doing that, I was uncomfortable and so out of my element, but I am so glad my mom embarrassed me like that. Because of this, public speaking is a piece of cake. Try public dancing. 

My overall favorite was Epcot. If you love traveling the world, this place is for you! We must've spent a G just on food alone. This place had Morocco to Switzerland. And each place had food coordinating to the place. We traveled the world while in Disney world. I fell in love with it and didn't want to leave. I had a pretzel from a Dutch stand in Africa and watched him carve wooden animals. While down the street I saw Mongols going crazy. The day was hectic but so worth it, every moment was entirely worth All the chores I had to do she. I got back, even taking out the trash. 

3 musketeers

This stretchmark was the hardest. So bitter sweet. Katia and I decided to visit our Elementary school best friend. From when I could remember, we were always together from lunches in Half Moon Bay to shopping at Claire's for lip gloss. From first boyfriends, kisses, dances, to graduation. We have always been there for each other. We all lived walking distance away from each other so every day of the summer we were practically together. When I heard Lindsey was in the hospital with declining health from pancreas failure, my heart broke. I couldn't get myself to see her like that. In my heart I wasn't ready. She is the smartest, beautiful, nice, caring, funny, and athletic women you'll meet. She's strong and nothing could point otherwise. For about a year, while I was busy with high school ,she had a failing pancreas and I knew I needed to see her. As I heard the news and that things weren't getting better, I had to accept that days could be minimal.

Hearing the best friend I've ever had going through so much put me in a bad place, I couldn't visit her for a while. I guess I didn't want reality to set in. But eventually it all does. When I saw her on the white hospital bed next to a foggy window, and her withered and tired I wanted to cry. She could read the expressions on our face and just with a smile, she brought us to tears of happiness. I hated seeing her in pain, but the real pain was not seeing my best friend in so long. We talked about different things just like old times. How at Saint Roberts the dress codes were whack and the boys were queers. I have never laughed so hard with anyone until that day.  I've never seen someone so strong, I admired Lindsey for that. Someone living off of machines but so full of life.

It was good just being in her presence. I remember leaving and just asking God why it was her. She was our valedictorian, and athlete of the year. We looked up to her and nothing has changed. This moment was sweet in the sense we were relishing the past. And reminding her life is worth it, but so bitter because she didn't deserve it, no one does. A real eye opener and such a slap of reality.

Trail of Pain

So after the whole Lake Tahoe fiasco, my family was hooked on the while outdoorsy type of thing. I mean we always were, but for the most part we did something like this every chance we could. I'm not complaining, but my mom did at times. Who wouldn't want to rock their brand new Christian Louboutin red bottom heels.But instead she traded them in for a brand new pair of hiking boots. I have to give her credit for that. The run was crazy. I hated it. I don't say hate a lot, it's a strong word, but I could honestly say I hated it.

My legs felt like jello, I was choking on the cold misty air and tripping over rocks hat seemed to be coming out of no where. Every time I looked at my brother we knew how much pain both of us had gone through. I felt like crying. It not only was hard, but so so cold, It felt like I was climbing the Himalayas. I don't know how people do this for fun, typically I'm a good runner, but this was something I couldn't keep up with even when I tried my hardest. I tried to listen to motivating songs, but it aggravated me and all I wanted to do was sit down and eat. Every time I wanted stop I knew I was going to throw up, so I kept going. The run was, indescribable. I don't know what others views are about snakes but I certainly don't like looking them in the eye, I saw about 6 snakes and almost stepped on 3. I felt like crying, but warriors don't cry.

Don't get me wrong the scenery was spectacular. Beautiful. Crisp green trees waving along to the rhythm and beats of the whipping wind. It was a nice thing to see. The harmony amongst nature. I didn't like seeing snakes, but I loved seeing deers grazing and even some bob cats in the distance. Sometimes they would look at us, then turn their heads and go back to what they were doing. This definitely taught me that ugly experiences can have a beautiful value. I proved to myself that I could endure a pain and prove my mind was better than matter. Out of this I got a family picture that I will treasure and rewarded myself with endless amounts of food. That was a bright side.

 





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Pocahontas

One weekend my family and I decided to go to Lake Tahoe again. It was fun, if you like the outdoors, of course. My dad and I LOVED it there. We stayed on south Lake Tahoe, in the Tahoe Keys houses. We stayed with my aunts, uncles cousins, and even so,e of their friends. It was a lovely experience. Except for when my cousin and I decided to watch scary movies of people in cabins,
in the woods, like we were. For example one night my cousin ashley and I were in the hot tub in the dead of night. All of a sudden all of the night owls and birds stopped chirping and a truck in the distance comes closer and closer to the house. The bright headlights broke the dark night and as the night got colder, both of our suspicions boiled. We watched the truck for about 20 minutes approaching the house. Then it stopped. Right beside our house. The only thing separating us and the truck was a small incline and the hot tub. Ashley and I just had watched a scene like his the night before. Life flashed before our eyes and we were ducking our heads so the men in the truck couldn't see us. All we could do was peep our heads for a small glimpse. Then of course, Ashley starts laughing, because that's what you do when you think you're about to be murdered. Then I finally popped my head up and two men with black beanies came out of the truck. I rushed to the kitchen window tapped on the glass to notify the adults of the guys that slowly crept up the small rocky incline. The adults couldn't hear and they feasted on the sugar cookies Ashley and I had made earlier. Boy did one of those warm cookies look good then. Finally I knocked hard and my uncles came out of the house and talked to the guys. They worked for the upkeep and electricity of south Lake Tahoe. We were scared out of our minds but only made a great memory.

Other than that incident , we stayed there for 2 nights and 3 days. Over the course we hiked 2 trails. One to the beach and the other to a lake. The beach was kind of packed and cold so it wasn't as enjoyable, a lot of tourists with Lake Tahoe gear filled the sunny depots on the pebbles. But the second trail was the one to a lake. It was beautiful. I was worried about leeches and stuff  before but my uncles ridiculed me and I had to prove them all wrong. I dove straight in the ice cold water that made my chest contract, but it was so refreshing, there was a small plot of land in the middle of the lake, so me, my dad, some good looking guy with an 8-pack (he was a nurse, a friend of my uncle), and his brothers girlfriend raced to the small island. I felt myself gliding across the water and all my uncles stared at a distance while my mom yelled that I had just washed my hair. I felt like Pocahontas, in real life. I loved it. I finally reached the plot of land raised myself from the water and onto the land. I smelled the air for a long while getting a hunt of trees and a sweet breeze of fresh water . Listening to laughter, water hitting the rocks and birds singing. I smiled and dive back into the ice cold water. And remembered how good a nice warm towel felt around my skin again.

Earning your Tiger Stripes

Earning your Tiger Stripes

This is a way for new experiances are welcomed. For new things to be encouraged. Whether it be music or food, it all is new to you. The world is a playground to explore. Every chance you get to explore, dont hesitate to act on it. It's there to be explored and experianced. With more experiances, come more wisdom. And wisdom is such a gift everyone will receive in time. 

Wisdom is something that is different from every other gift. This gift, is powerful, but requires one to make mistakes. Mistakes and learning are crucial to the development of wisdom. It creates character and one of a kind stories. Life wouldn't be precious is one was to keep with the normalcy all their life. Normalcy needs to be broken in order for ones "tiger stripes" to form.

School assignments and home situations now, don't tend to promote "exploring your enviornment." Since its new, it's unknown. And the unknown terribly frightens many. This will encourage students to be stretched outside of their comfort zone. To become okay with the unknown. This experiment will test students to do what they never would've before. It forces us, as a class, to take chances and support one another. It's scary to go in alone, but this allows the students to be supported and have the anxieties ease. It's time to be stretched past our limits, and pushed out of our comfort zone. Time to. Earn the tiger stripes (stretch marks).