My Life Changing Journey

As I am writing/typing this journal based on a life event, which changed my outlook on life, I

Corins Pov~ After I got done eating my food I got dressed in a pare of worn jeans that had holes in them from numerous things, and a old t-shirt that i have cut the sleeves out of. Then I put on my combat boots, braded my hair, and found my headphones. Then I ran out my door and down the stairs praying that no one saw me. Im not running away or anything Im just going to explore the grounds a little and take my dirt bike out for a spin.

Hi Ms. Reese, You probably don’t remember me and to be completely honest, I couldn’t care less if you did. But it’s me, Jasmine. You had me as a student when I was in 5th grade at Whittier Elementary. I know, you’re probably wondering, Why on earth are you private messaging me?

I was fifteen and in the fifth grade. I had been homeschooled until I was approximately thirteen years of age when we moved to a different house and stopped school altogether. When I was 10, my mother stopped teaching my brother and I through books and made us use computers to do all of our learning instead. I was not very happy with the change because it was much more difficult to learn without anyone to actually teach a lesson. We did our work on the computer and taught ourselves for a few months until we had some of our family move in with us. They were a bit of a distraction to my brother and I during the times that we were trying to do our work. My mother saw this and chose to put our education on hold until they had moved out that way, it wouldn't affect our grades anymore.

Growing up, I was a timid kid who was not very fond of change and trying new things in life. During elementary school, I was with my parents at their restaurant all the time because they did not like the idea of me being home alone, or with a babysitter. Constantly hiding behind my parents in front of customers at the restaurant, I hardly talked with people outside of school and my home. When I started sixth grade, a family friend came over to the restaurant one day, and told me that I should practice Taekwondo under his instruction in his dojo. I was reluctant at first, but my parents highly encouraged me that I should try it because they did not want me being at the restaurant all the time since I was a kid. Thinking it over, I saw that there was no harm in trying something new with someone I was familiar with. Within a week, I agreed and started going to the classes in hopes that it would

Moving from place to place not much other than family remain constant and that too takes a different shape with time and makes me both accustomed to change and more importantly, prepared for it. Moving every few years is a gift and a curse, giving you a clean slate when you both need it and when you do not want it. It is always difficult to move away from good friends, teaching me to remember all those who left a mark on me .

I changed, I didn’t' even realize that I did, till now when I had to write about it. Throughout my years of living, I never payed much attention to myself, I've always been caring about others and making them smile and happy and comfortable . Looking back I realized throughout those years I've been helping others my characteristic been evolving me changing me without me realizing it adapting me to my environment. That changed made me better, looking back and seeing how much I helped others without realizing it made me smile a little.

I like to myself agnostic, even though I was brought up to be Jewish my whole life. I would like to start from the very beginning. My father was brought up reformed Jewish. My mother’s parents are Jewish even though she was not brought up Jewish. When my mother became older her religion became a lot more important to her, and by association it would be forced to be important to me.

This semester has been a transition. I changed from a junior college to a university. My classes shifted from pre-requisites to classes pertaining to my major. I have also escaped the dorm life and moved into an apartment. All this change has come with bountiful knowledge. I have had many learning experiences, both social and academic. This year has been a growing experience. I have worked on developing as a student and broadening my relationships.

We all have had situations and events that have affected us throughout our lives, whether they were a dramatic occurrence or a quiet revelation. My most influential situation that has had a lasting impact on my life would have to be almost six years ago now, the week I first truly learned what it is to be responsible. This event taught me that although situations may not always be ideal, we can learn a lot about what we are really capable of just by making it through.

I was eleven years old when I first became a certified scuba diver, and over the last thirteen years none of the dives I’d been on could prepare me for this one night. My vacation started out just like all the other family dive trips I had been on, white sandy beaches, crystal clear what, warm ocean breeze, and brilliantly bright colored fish but it all changed when my father came back from a night dive with a story to tell. My siblings, husband and I all gathered around the dinner table eager to hear about my father’s adventures. He starts off slowly making sure he has everyone’s undivided attention before he discloses any details of importance. Once we were all on the edge of our seats practically begging for him to speak he takes a long slow drink, looks each of us in the eye and says “I’ve had the most incredible life changing experience on this night dive.”

I felt like it wasn’t even happening because I never thought it would. I had been an only child all my life. What will it be like to have a baby in the house?? I was soon to find out. Addie ( my sister) was born and everything was amazing. My dad found a new job as a special needs teacher at a school called Highland Park. I had no idea what that was because it was a very small school and I went to a very big school. Prairie View. So, once again, my parents sat me down and said,”How would you like to go to school where dad works?”

When I turned twelve years old, I found out that my grandmother had Lyme disease. I realized that she was sick and it hurt me to the core. My grandmother, the healthiest woman I know, never was sick so it was hard to process that she had Lyme Disease. Even though my grandmother disease caused so much pain in my life, this life changing event taught me to find inner strength, look at the positive things in life, and that life is precious, so enjoy it.

I had a person in my life that significantly influenced me even after she died. At twelve years old, you do not expect to lose someone that is so close to you. I lost my aunt very unexpectedly and heart wrenchingly. Despite her death, her influence has weighed greatly on my decisions in life. Explaining her influence on me is difficult without telling the whole back story. It starts in February 2009 where my mom and I are at the Swimming State Championships when I swam for Chattahoochee Gold.

I have not posted any article in about 6 months, despite having several articles ready for a final edit, only leaving a click of the publish button..