Descriptive Narrative Essay

It was Friday, December 19th, 2003, in Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. Just six short days before my 19th birthday. A recruit screams, "Lights! Lights! Lights!". The overhang lights flashes to life, I look outside and see that was still dark outside. All 80 of my fellow recruits jumped up and began the preparation for our big moment. Racks were stripped of sheets and blankets, folded, and then set on top of the footlockers. As we did the last bits of field day, I imagined that we were somewhere between well oiled machines and ants. Time seemed to slow down to a crawl. As we got dressed in our pickle suits I was shaking. To this day I don 't if I was from the sheer excitement or from nervous. The process of getting dressed was beyond tedious and deliberate. Socks, corframs, white shirt, long sleeve khaki shirt, shirt-stays attached from the bottom of the shirt to the top of the socks, tie, standing on top of a foot locker to step into our trousers, getting the help of your rackmate to help put on your blouse, and lastly putting on your cover.

After that we headed home. And the car ride home was not good I puked on the side of the road because I was hot and when it is hot I puke.

I never guessed a simple trip home would turn into a life or death situation. It neared the end of summer in 2008; my mom, grandma, and I began coming home from our short vacation that we take every summer to Ames, Iowa while my brother and dad go to Alaska. The sun shimmered down on us as we cruised down the various roads to arrive back home.

The most magnificent place I’ve ever been is Puerto Rico. With its breath taking landscapes and the calm serenity of the ocean; Puerto Rico is one of the most relaxing and gorgeous places I’ve ever been. The mixes of several different Latin styles play a huge role in not only the music and dancing of Puerto Rico but, also the style of the wardrobe. The best part of Puerto Rico though is the amazing experience and adventures I’ve been on.

Sunday November 12, 2073 we just woke up it seems like we landed outside of a huge building complex. The others and i do not know what is going on i am not ready for this we all have heard about the others and how ships would just take them how can i say it, they was just gone we have never seen this before it was just never seen again. I am strapped onto my seat across from me is a young girl with a high black long ponytail and seems to be wearing a black mask only revealing her eyes, nose, and mouth. The girl across from me is also strapped onto her seat her body is leaning forward and her head is tilted down. Her black long sleeve jacket is dripping in water and her left thigh has a big scar going across it just above her knee her

As soon as my mom, dad, and brother’s suitcases rolled into the airport I knew I was in for the adventure of a lifetime. It was 4:00 am and even though I was exhausted excitement flowed through my body like a river. As we boarded the plane and found our seats I heard the captain's microphone come on "Ladies and gentlemen this is your captain speaking we like to welcome you onboard Delta airline flight to Dallas Fort Worth. The flight duration is around two hours and we are expecting a fairly smooth flight today. Once again we thank you for choosing to fly with us and we hope you enjoy your flight" My eyes shut as soon as the wheels left the ground.

Stone, stone, stone, wood. Stone, stone, wood, stone. Stone, wood, wood, brick. I count things when I’m bored. So far I’ve passed twenty-one wood, thirty-four stone, and sixteen brick buildings since entering the city. It only took a damp half days ride to the capitol but it seemed farther away than ever before. Home. The sounds of playing in the garden. The smells floating from the kitchen. Father telling stories by the fireplace while mother smiles at each passing exaggeration. That was a great summer day. It would be the last one for quite some time, perhaps forever. No more beautiful greenery. No more delicious scents. No more wild tales. Not for me at least. Hopefully, my siblings can still have days filled with loving family.

The day had started out as any would usually go. It was so cold outside that I couldn’t feel my fingers or toes. My ears were full of the complaining wind that wished I wasn’t there. I walked up to the school doors feeling drowsy from last night’s sleep.

I lift myself up and as soon as my feet touch the floor my body gets the chills of a cold hard wood floor. I man up and walk over to my little “office desk” and turn of the alarm, there was only the silence of nature's music. I took a moment to listen to the music and sighed to myself, a content sigh. I look back at the clock and it now says 5:35 AM time to get ready. I walk over to my closet door and put on the outfit from the boutique I’ve officially named the outfit Courtney. I opened the door and made my way over to the hallway bathroom next to my room and curled my wavy hair while looking at myself in the mirror. I have red wavy hair and dark green eyes I also have a few freckles on my nose and cheeks. My face is kind of diamond shaped and my features are pretty decent. Not to sound conceited but I always have though I was pretty, not supermodel pretty but average pretty. Otherwise I try to be humble with everything that I do so I don't give off the wrong expression. Anyways back to getting ready I think to myself, I continue to curl my hair for a few more seconds, as soon as I finish I comb through my hair with a brush and then bam instant “insta-glam hair!” Pleased with my look I walk out and turn off the bathroom light before leaving the bathroom. As I walk past my room down the hallway I notice that I’m the only one up Courtney must still be asleep. I wouldn’t blame her it was a long day yesterday of shopping and searching for clothes. As I walk down the stairs into

Sitting on the soft sand, I look out over the ocean. The deep indigo blue waters roll onto the beach in sets of white top waves, making a soothing sound as they crash against the shore. I sit there, listening to the the sounds of the ocean, the slight breeze brushes my skin and the salty air fill my lungs. I feel a sense of calmness, a feeling I haven’t felt in years.

WHooOooOsshhH. The sound of the tree branches hitting the top of the big Jeep, and everyone ducking their heads down to avoid getting whacked by the branches. As I look up into the big tall trees that loom over us, a shiver runs down my spine as I slowly realize what I got myself into. Twenty minutes ago, I had jumped up and yelled that I wanted to go with friends to the big bat cave while we were all sitting around a dying fire from the night before, eating some pop tarts at our big brown cabin in Camp Lakewood. My dad said it was fine but my sister, Julia, had to come along because he was staying back to cook or do some other dad thing. I looked around at the big trees and green spring leaves, the cool breeze whispers in my ear. All of a sudden, I hop back into reality by the huge THUD sound the blue Jeep makes.

Jamaica. A country roaring with culture and beauty, just as I had imagined. Water as clear as glass and a jungle that touched the sky. Locals singing and dancing everywhere I looked. In awe of my surroundings I stood, not knowing that the next turn I’d make would shatter the perfect image I’d built, and change my perspective completely.

It was our second day in Montana, and I was so excited to be going on a beautiful hike with my family. The roundtrip was about five miles there and back, and it is one of the most highly rated and enjoyed hikes in Northern Montana. We figured there would be lots of other travelers, and the first part was crowded with people. But as intensity increased, the number of people decreased. We trekked up the steep incline on the first mountain, to the point where we were able to see into the valley far below us and the sky on the other side. In an instant, the warm and sunny Montana day turned windy and cool.

I sat in the ivory colored sand by the beach. I felt my toes sink and wiggle in the wet sand. The crystal blue water washed over my toes. It was a beautiful sunny day with a gentle breeze. Waves were crashing on the rocks, and the sun made the ocean glitter as if someone poured a bucket of sparkles into the water. You could hear the distant calls of seagulls every now and then. Obsidian colored cliffs were so high that they looked as if they were going to touch the pale blue sky. I felt something brush up against my ankles as a small tide came in. I looked down to see what the ocean brought to me. It was a green glass bottle and inside was some paper rolled up neatly.

The view was breathtaking. A dark blue of many hues dotted with twinkling lights. Swirls of purple and greens like the oceans at home. The yellows and oranges gracefully danced together in dust ballad. All beautiful, but none of these things could ever add up to the beauty of earth. That was all that kept me from the reality that I lived in a small cubby made up of a wall and large window that curved up over my head. I had put all of the blankets I could find on the ground and pillow down to sleep. I had a bag which I used to store food. The cargo ship actually doubled as a chauffeur for the government into space. It had an auditorium and the large cloth that covered the back wall cover the entrance to my crevice. There was a bathroom backstage, and because the auditorium was out of order I had free access to it anytime I wanted. I also found a little chute that led to the kitchen. I found the times when I should and shouldn’t crawl up. I learned when I shouldn't the hard way one afternoon. I got a plat of spaghetti to the face. It was delightful and still so hot it burned my skin! The one thing that haunted me is Nana. Without anyone to talk to there was nothing that could distract me from the uneasiness in my gut. I’m worried not only for her but for me too. Maybe I should have stayed back, my parents must be worried sick.