Wednesday, September 17, 2008

College Essay

College Essay

“Ten…, nine…, eight…,” Ecstatic screams from the sidelines. High pitch whistle’s blowing. The sound of the basketball slamming into the slats of the gym floor, as if you were listening to your own heart beat. Teammates encouraging you to go hard or go home. “Seven…, six…, five…,” Time coming down to an end. You either lose or win, but it all comes to an end in a flash. Once you know it it’s over. People say life is like a box of chocolates, but to me life is like an intense basketball game. Especially my life, as simple and calm as it seems, it feels like every aspect of a basketball game can be compared to something in my life.
Every basket made is like a new accomplishment in life. Like the first time I got an A on my math test. The first time I made a basket in my first year being on the high school basketball team against one of the top dogs in the district. Getting into the number one high school in Hawaii, Moanalua High School, with a geographical exception in the media program. The first day of high school. Coming from a small Christian school whose student population was 200 wasn’t that hard of a transition. I felt accomplished that I made it to high school and felt comfortable in a new environment.
But not only did I get accepted to a great school, I made incredible friends. Having great friends is like having teamwork on a basketball team during an extreme game. You need to keep your teammates close, make sure they’re on the same page as you. Make sure they’re doing the right things. My friends in my life always kept me in check with myself. I didn’t have to change the way I am to be accepted with them. During a game you might get frustrated with your teammates for a mistake they made or running a wrong play. Even if you get frustrated you need to communicate with them and tell them what they’re doing wrong. Every time my friends and I would get into a scuffle about something we would talk it out, no matter how hard the situation was we seemed to fix everything. In my life I keep my family and friends close because that’s what keeps me strong.
The ecstatic screams from the sidelines sometimes play with your mind. People yelling at you, it scares you and confuses you into what you want to do. You can hear the disappointment in the crowd when a pass is stolen, or a shot is missed, you can’t let those things get to you. In my life, I listen to my heart, fight temptations and society’s opinions. I try to stay true to myself, and not change for anyone. My family keeps me grounded, they remind me that I’m me and will always be just me. Like a coach, reminds you to stay calm and collective, ignore the fans and yelling crowd, keeps in check and tells you to focus on what’s important. Keeping my mind on what’s important is key, distractions are just obstacles that get in the way.
My dreams and aspirations are formed by the goals I want to reach in the future, and my accomplishments from the past. I move towards my goals by my actions of the present. Basketball is my passion, and my life. Friends keep me together in one piece, and keeps me sane. Family first, it will always be that way. My dreams and aspirations are formed by the life I live.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Berekely University

Prompt #1 (Freshmen):Describe the world you come from – for example, your family, community or school – and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.