Born in Camp Pendleton, CA, my first seven years resided in Oceanside, CA. For those of you who did not know, Camp Pendleton is a Marine military base located just South of Los Angeles and North of San Diego. Oceanside is a city just outside of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Since my father was engaged in the United States Marine Crops, I got to see Japan around the age of one where my sister was born.
A few memories remain in tact living freely as a young kid. I remember the races down the street to get the mail with my sister, the Barbie big wheel vehicle, the beaches, singing to the Lion King songs from a tape, dominating in pog, and even the bumpy rides of the red Samurai. I remember so little, but yet they mean a lot of my past.
I definitely remember the darn end of the sidewalk where a square was missing. Instead a patch of dirt infested with death ants terrorized any curious child. I don’t remember the complete details, but I do remember somehow finding my self barreling back to the apartments screaming with ants noming at my feet. If I were devious at the time, I would have drowned those bastards with the hose.
Does anyone remember the strange game where you stacked a bunch of cups in a pyramid fashion as fast as you can? For some reason, I remember this game where it was played during recesses outside on the basketball pavement. Two lines were formed with kids ready to battle the next person in line. I can remember how much tension lingered until the whistle was blown for you to stack the cups up and then collapse them back into a single stack. The last two standing usually included me. Who knew I could be so pro at stacking cups really fast?
Would describing me as a baby criminal sum it up? No, I was just a natural rebel. Walking down the street back to the apartments, a cop car came zooming in. A man ran out grabbing me as if I had murdered someone. Apparently, it was a bad idea to attend a friend's birthday party when I was told not to. Definitely not a good choice because a scolding had been included with the cop car ride (a few blocks down the road).
Menominee, MI became my second hometown after the first 7 years of my life. My parents decided to move back to my dad's hometown to live. I grew up on a farm becoming familiar with animals and work. I definitely was a wild child running across gravel roads barefooted. Gotta toughen up for the real world! Ha!
Through the years, I discovered that I excelled at many things. Good grades, extreme sports, video games, and loved art. Unfortunately, cooking is not one of my good skills (even to this day). As I grew up, I was given the opportunity to try many things. Which I believe has made me who I am today because I love to try new things. I am usually up to do anything especially if it physically gets you involved.
Basketball, gymnastics, baseball, soccer, cross country running, and track were some of the sports I was involved through my years in Menominee. Eventually running became my sport when high school took me in. It is a sport that makes me feel good while keeping me healthy.
Among all these activities an interest in snowboarding developed. A sport I was introduced to way before my first ski trip in seventh grade:
Two children set on a journey through the woods; one boy and the other a girl. An adult wouldn't find it much of a hike (possibly hard breathing may occur), but for two young 8 year olds the trek was long and rewarding. For they knew their destination brought the adventure of the day.
Beaming with excitement, the two stomped through the thick snow. Their hands tightly squeezed around binder twine that tugged plastic suggesting that their destination consisted of inclined terrain covered in a white blanket. Laughter and discussion sprinkled the cold air as the trees bid them farther into the woods. The winding trail seemingly endless where soon enough the large mound would peak through the trees at them.
Garbage Hill was what they were told it was called. Technically, they were trespassing on the local airport, but the two children were safe from anyone spotting them. The road was on the other side and the portion of the airport was never used except for the occasional trip to go sledding.
The long trek had ended at the break of the woods. A mound that was said to be made of garbage shined its prospering wealth. The two kids were all too excited and quickened their pace for the final stretch. It left them breathing hard with the adrenalin rush beginning to flush their bodies. The time for extreme sledding was on!
The top of a double tiered hill presented a wealthy sledding area. The children began the day by sledding on various sleds. With each climb the children did not tire rather became intrigued to try something new. Yes, something different to add more thrill to the adventure to Garbage Hill.
The idea was simple, stand on the pink saucer all they way down. Don't be fooled at the size of the hill, just because they were little 8 year olds it didn't mean the hill was slightly slopped and small. No, it was larger than your normal bunny-run at a local ski hill. Many attempts were taken and each time bringing them closer and closer to their specified goal. The first one down standing on the saucer accomplished the goal. Could this be the first attempts of snowboarding of a young girl and boy?
Finally, a successor! Who though defeated the challenge? Was it the boy or the girl?
A girl that went by the name Theresa stood at the bottom of the hill full of excitement. Squatting and feet control ended at the sudden realization that she made it all the way down. Jumping and screaming filled the air at the triumph of victory. The little girl felt so amazing that nothing could stop her. A feeling that would be lost for the future to discover.
Tired and accomplished, the two little children trekked back home for dinner.
It took a chair lift and a boy to make me remember this story. I immediately was stricken with a realization; I was in love with snowboarding and it would turn out to be part of my future goals. I give my thanks to you Jake and wish the best for you!
Houghton, MI has been my home the past four years and currently still is. I enrolled to Michigan Technological University (MTU) originally in a dual major undergraduate program that would give me a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering. Lucky me, a few things have kicked me around to change this decision and now I am one year away from receiving a Mechanical Engineering Bachelors Degree.
I am also one year away from setting out on my adventure; an adventure to explore the world as a snowboarder. One year from now, I plan to travel to New Zealand to discover another culture and to dig deeper into my dream. I hope for those of you kind enough to read up on my blog would be willing to contribute a dollar to my first steps to continue my story.
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