descriptive writing:

Imagine a place where majestic beauty is disturbed by ruin and choas but still lives in harmony. We depend on it for survival and yet abuse it for a thanks in return. First, think of the its power. It roars like thunder in a storm then calms its waters with a soothing, melodic song. The waves rock the soft sand back and forth while green sea kelp dance in sync. A thin layer of white foam flows onto the the shoreline, reaching for higher ground but gets pulled back by the seas hand. A cool breeze drifts through your hair and fingers. You can taste the bitter salt crystals flowing in between the corners of your lips. It causes the green palm trees to shimmy and shake until a plump coconut has been released from its mother. After performing a welcoming hula, a pure seagull perches ontop of the leaves to rests his wings. Under the busy surface is a vibrant colony of life. Coral that are dyed by the colors of the rainbow glistened under the warm rays of the golden sun. Flounders burrow themselves under the soft bed of grains. Orange crabs walk among the ocean floor, looking for things to do. Grungy eels poke their heads in and out of dark crevaces to spook its neighbors. Tropical fish swim in unison searching for a comforatable place to eat algae. Dolphins backflip in happiness and screech for the joy of life.
Life at sea is a beatiful one; one that provides us with eveything we need. Sadly, we abuse it after all its done for us. You can't tell by just looking at the surface of its beauty, but look a little deeper. Its heart is pure but we have polluted it with intoxicating debris that gradually suffocates every breath that it takes. Greasy oil clogs its vessels while chunks of garbage have to be broken down into cleaner substances. The ocean has be sustaining itself since the beggining of times but its tired and worn out. It can't do it alone so we need to help. It has supplied us with wonderful activities, a place to stay, and food. We have to take care of it for a thanks in return. If not, the ocean will die.

reflection:

As I look back and read through my previous posts, I noticed that I related every one to my experience in how I'm trying to cope with my injury. Perhaps my writing reflects this certain experience because it means the most to me and is always on my mind. Average girls would probably be more concerned about their boyfriends, or the way they look, or other social clicks. But thats what I used to be. I used to be so hung up on the things that aren't that important and didn't realize that life by itself should be the main concern to everyone. The little things that give us happiness for a few seconds mean nothing compared to the big stuff. Going to a school like Punahou, we take it our life for granted because we have the money, facilities, and the "best" of the "best." I never really realized how much I had until I lost it. My posts express how much volleyball meant to me and how God is teaching me things through the experience. I can't tell you how hard it is when you are told that you can do something because of a physical reason. I hated being told that I was short and had no chance of being an outside hitter for college. I hated being told that I wasn't good enough. I hated not being the best. That's why I constantly spent most of my life around this sport; I wanted to be the best. I really hope that other people will never have to go through what I had to go through. Ultimately, I'm trying to tell people to put God first in your life because that is how to be sucessful in life. By succesful I don't nessicarily mean rich or popular, but satisfied because you did your best and God will always love you. No matter how bad you think you performed in your life, if you gave it your best shot, then you are successful in God's eyes. I always thought sucess meant being the best, but it's not.

sadness:

This whole week has been so sad. On top of my personal depressing issues, my chemistry teacher's son was in the hospital, and Mr. Johnson died. I found all of this out on teusday and was shocked. I couldn't believe any of it. I mean, I just saw Mr. Johnson last friday all happy and alive. He was such a great Biology teacher, I really liked him. All this tragic news has really got my thinking about life; it's just not fair. My chemistry teacher's son didn't deserve to be sick and Mr. Johnson didn't deserve to die. I just don't know why these things happen to good people. It's just no fair. :[

having patience:

Yesterday, I went to go watch my friends volleyball tournament at Manoa. I knew that it would be a bitter-sweet situation because even if I would be around the awesome volleyball atmosphere, I would have to resist temptation. It wasn't too bad in the begginning but when it came to the championship game, I think God was REALLY testing my temptation. I couldn't stand sitting down and watching because the intensity was so hify and contagious. Well, contagious for me because when I play, I get super intense and loud; I just love being it those situations. I love game pressure, most people don't like it because it lowers their self confidence. But for me, I feed off of it, but I can't even play! Other than having awesome entertainment, I got to see my really good friends that were on my club team last year. I miss then so much and they kept telling me how much they miss our old team. Ultimately, I really do believe that God is trying to teach me how to be patient so, I just have to trust him.

this i believe draft:

I believe that God has a purpose for everything that happens in your life, even the bad ones. About 1/2 a year ago, I was enduring the most nerve-racking try-outs for the varsity volleyball team. I didn't make it the year before, and after the heart breaking new I cried for days. There was nothing in the world that I wanted more than to be a freshman varsity player, but sometimes you can't get what you want. I trained very hard the next season and was determined to make vars as a sophomore. A year had past and the coaches needed to cut two more outside hitters from the team. I felt pressure from every inch of my body and constantly thought that in order to prove myself worthy enough, I had to play perfect volleyball; no errors, all kills. That's how I felt for every suicide, weight lifting session, practice, and game. It was all-out perfection or failure. One mistake and I started to break down mentally. But luckily, I pulled through and made the team; it was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. Things seemed to turn around and go great; I had an awesome team, great teammates, we all got along well, and I got good playing time (something that I honestly thought that I wouldn't get as a sophomore.) September 8th came around and we were having a hitting competition. The next day was going to be our first season game against UH lab. I couldn't wait and gave everything I had in practice. I was winning the competition, went up for a kill, and got it. Unfortunately, when I came down, my right leg went left while my body leaned right. I heard a "pop" and my whole right leg felt numb. After all the trainers tested for if I tore my ACL, I came out negative. It was a relief because ACL's are the worst ligament to tear. Even though the trainers said that turning out negative for the ACL test was good news, I knew that I would be out for some time and was immidiately sad. Two weeks later, I took an MRi to confirm that I did something to my MCL which took about three weeks to heal. Then a month later, I got my MRi results and found out that I COMPLETELY tore my ACL. I couldn't believe it, all these trainers and people told me there was no way in hell that my ACL could have even be slightly sprained and there it was in black and white. That was the worst day of my life. I couldn't keep it together, not even at school because all my friends and teammates were going to ask me what it was. Life wasn't fair, I hated life, I hated God. But in the end, all of this was my fault because I didn't put God first. Volleyball was my God and I didn't let anything interfere with my passion, not even family. I just wish that I learned the easy way than going through this whole experience. Although I regret having torn my ACL, I am learning alot through this experience. I'm sorry God, I hope you can forgive me.

question:

whats the purpose of each persons life?

this i believe:

music makes me come alive:
Joan Tower believes that music nourishes out inner souls, gives us public permission to share things, connects people to others, and expresses yourself in different ways. It was interesting how she connected music to politics because I always thought that music was a way to display your current emotion. Other than that connection, I do agree with her that music is a very important part of life because it makes me feel in a way emotionless. Every sad thought, angry thought, happy thought, and whatever is going through my mind can relate to different types of songs. If I am feeling depressed, then Emo music is what I would listen too. But, if I feel really hyphy and excited, then Hip-Hop/R&B is right for me. Like Joan, I honestly don't know what I would do without music. Honestly, it's everywhere we go, in the car, bags, heads, schools. It's my life saver and best friend.

utterly humbled by mystery:
Father Richard Rohr believes in mystery and multiplicity. He is a very religious man that trusts in god and knows that everything happens for a reason. This particular essay was of interest to my because I am religious and don't always know why God does things in my life. He believes that faith will keep us motivated to go through the mysteries of life. But I have a hard time to cope with difficult situations. Since my knee injury, I was very angry at God because it seemed unfair for him to allow this to happen to me. I really thought that I didn't deserve it because I was being a good person. Not knowing what would happen to me in the future after my surgery has always been and will continue to be one of the biggest mysteries in my life.

failure is a good thing:
Jon Caroll believes that failure is a good thing because it teaches us important lessons and we should not dwell within our unsucessful goals. It is true that alot of students at Punahou are always striving to do their best. One bad grade, and they think that their parents will yell at them. In fact, some people think that a B+ is bad. [I'll be honest and say that I am one of those people who think a B+ is bad] But you know, I can't help it. Ever since I was little, I've always wanted to do better than my best. If I made one little mistake, then I would get upset at myself and didn't realize until after my ACL situation that this mindset makes my performance worse. Tearing my ligament was a huge dissapointment and failure in my life. Maybe even my biggest failure. However, I have learned alot from this experience and in a way thankful that I got it because now, I'm working ten times harder just to get back on the court. I have never been so disciplined in every aspect of my life and I give all the credit to god.