College ... decisions, decisions

As a high school senior, I know firsthand the amount of stress and the thought process that goes into the idea of college. Some of us want to go just for themselves, while others seem forced to go by their parents. Everyone's journey is different but the goal is the same. As all the deadlines approach for the fall semester of college, i've taken more time to sit down and actually think about what I want. School has always been something that comes easily to me. I do struggle in particular areas, but in general I do fairly well. Continuing my education seems like the next step, but I honestly don't know if that's what I want. The pressure from my parents and other outside forces is so intense it makes me want to scream. I continually get asked the same questions of "who will I be,"  "what do I want to do," "where do I plan on attending," "when would I leave?" My answer is that I really don't know at this point and I'm not going to stress over it, whatever happens, happens. Some say that's a terrible outlook, but that's the way I see it and that's the way I want to see it. I don't feel the need to be stressed out hundred times more than I already am. I applied to all the right places, I took all the tests, I met all the requirements, i've gotten four out of five acceptance letters, to me it sounds like I'm on the right track. My days are numbered until I have to make my decision, but it will ultimately be 100% my choice because it's my life. I want to create my own path, and college is just a stepping stone on this life long journey. I'm tired of everyone else's opinion about what I should do. I'll say it loud and proud, I don't know where I'm going, but I am going to college and I'll let you know when I figure it out ✌️

Airport struggles

So I recently flew down to SoCal to visit some family. I arrive at the Sacramento International Airport at 4 a.m.. The line to check in was out the door, but I thought that I had plenty of time. Once I finally got to the front line and got my bags checked in and my boarding pass, I thought it would be smooth sailing from there. Clearly, I was wrong. As I start to walk towards security I realize the line almost doubled from the one outside. By now it's 5:15 a.m. I still think that I have plenty of time before my 6:30 a.m. flight so I just mind my own business and play flappy bird while the line moves slowly, but steady. The people in the line very from businessman to college students to families going on vacation. Everything seems fine and dandy as I get closer and closer to the scanners. I've flown countless times before so I know the procedure of airport security. I hand the bulky man-lady my I.D. along with my boarding pass and head to the bins. I take off my shoes, belt, hat, place my phone and backpack in a separate bin, as I am flagged to step forward into the body scanner. Everytime I have flown I have never had any difficulties but suddenly I was stopped and asked to step aside for a moment. They told me I had a pin in my abdomen. I looked that them like they were crazy because I knew for a fact there was nothing on or in me. They began to search my belongings and pat me down. They started asking questions like "Have you had any surgeries where they may have left something in?" I continued to tell them that I have never had any surgeries, I'm not trying to bring anything onto the plane and I'm not lying. After TSA's long search, they found nothing. Just like I told them from the start. They appologized for the inconvenience and I looked at the time. It was already 6:25 a.m.! My plane was already boarding and I was barely getting out of security. I grabbed everything from those bins and took off for my gate barefoot. I made it just in time and the flight attendant gave me a few seconds to gather my composure and board the plane. Luckily, it wasn't a full flight so I took a seat in my own row. Then more and more people started coming on. Not only did I book it to make it on time, I ended being squished and disgusted my whole flight. The lady next to me was all over my seat and had no personal hygiene. It was only 6:30 a.m. an I had already been through what seemed like hell. That's my story about the struggles of TSA and the Sacramento International Airport. 

Cheerleading: A sport or hobby?

Is cheerleading just an extracurricular activity or an actual sport? This is a question that I have been asked at least a thousand times over the past nine years. People have fought with me over this question and at times have been rude about the matter. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but that doesn't mean it is alright to shove that in someone's face or down their throat. I am a cheerleader and have been for the past nine years. It started out as something that was fun and kept me out of trouble but transformed into a passion. Many hear me complain about cheer and how angry it sometimes makes me, but I do not know anyone who has never said something negative about the sport they participate in. Cheer has turned into a major part of my life. It occupies at minimum two hours of my day, five times as week. In special occasions or preparing for special events the number of practice hours and games, doubles. Luckily at least 90% of my friends are cheerleaders as well, so I don't miss out on certain outings and I get to share the special experiences with them while involved in cheer. People argue with me on a daily basis as to whether cheer is a sport or a hobby. I believe 100% that it is a sport and that is not only becuase I participate in it. Sports that are considered sports, such as baseball, basketball, and football, all have practices, games, uniforms, tryouts, competitions, JV and Varsity teams, and camps to improve or learn new skills. Cheerleading has everything on that list, so why do many consider it to just be a hobby? It is also ranked as one of the highest injury sports and is considered too dangerous in certain areas. Rules and regulations have been set to protect cheerleaders to minimize the injuries. Cheer has shaped me into the person I am and has given me so much character. I was super shy and closed off until I started cheering. I came out of shell and performed in front of hundreds of people starting at age nine. Everytime I step onto the 50 yard line or the center court, I put on a show and give it my all for that two minute performance. I'm not saying it's easy or that I never wanted to give up but through the blood, sweat and tears, I learned so many things and got so many different opportunities that I would have never had access to if I never cheered. Since I will never cheer again, I realized that starting from the Jr. Wolves, through the Jr. Patriots, and throughout high school, has given me something to look back on and be proud of. People may say it is not a sport but it has all the qualifications of a sport and has girls and boys putting everything on the line for something they love, just like anyone else would for their sport. There is a "behind the scenes" of cheerleading that is not known to many. Since it isn't all public information, people don't understand what we go through or why we do it. The misunderstanding is where the negative opinions and ruling out of it being a sport comes from. Whether you think it or not, I will always be a firm believer that cheerleading is absolutely, positively a sport. 

Road rage.

I have been driving for about two years now and I still have a big problem with how other people drive. I like to go fast and if you're in my way, you betcha I'm going to ride your butt until you switch lanes. I see myself as a great, even perfect driver at times. I drive fast but safely. I have never hit anyone or anything and the accidents I've gotten in were never my fault. I mean who backs up in a drive thru without turning around. My parents see my driving as a danger to the neighborhood, along with myself, but I don't always see it as a problem. I've gotten pulled over twice, which is a pretty low number. The first time was for running a red light but I was late for work and the officer took that as a valid excuse. The next time was while I was being a DD and was flying down 113. I couldn't take myself out of this one and got fined $243, plus $70 traffic school. You could say I "got what I deserved,"but I have road rage and I'm proud.