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CarzKimNarrative

Page history last edited by PBworks 18 years, 6 months ago

A Puzzle

Life is an ever-expanding puzzle, with new pieces being added or replaced continually throughout the years of one’s existence. It is my privilege and my curse to be at the point in my life that so many new pieces are connecting in my personal puzzle that it can be overwhelming. Surely, my peers are experiencing this same confusion, constantly asking themselves, “Where do I belong?” and “Where do I fit?” Such a haunting thought creeps into my mind numerous times within a day, and each time I search for my answer. Everybody shall go about solving their dilemma in different ways, but I have chosen to approach my solution in a rational sense. Each piece of my puzzle determines what the finished product will look like, thus the pieces are essential. In order to ensure the power of each piece it is important to identify and nurture those divisions to complete and stable, enjoyable, and healthy definition.

 

The foundation, or keystone, of my puzzle is undoubtedly my family. They were my beginning, and will remain until the end. I have been blessed with two of the most loving parents any child could possibly ask for. Especially with my venture to State College, I have realized their complete support and faith in me. Each of them has made the effort to convey their sense of pride in me, a sense I have worked towards for many years. To hear the words, “We are proud of you”, from your teary-eyed mother provides a feeling I will never forget. I also have a younger brother. We are a little over a year apart, and have grown up very close, fighting far less than your typical brother and sister. In the past year or two, I have watched him do “grown up” things like achieve his license and primp for his senior portraits. I cannot help but wonder what happened to my little brother who used to cry when I would not allow him to have the television remote. I have always tried to be a good big sister, a role model in a sense, but I honestly believe he has taught me as much as I have taught him. Without the support of this strong piece of my puzzle, there is no doubt in my mind that it would crumble.

 

Branching from the family basis are the people I consider as close as relatives just not contained on a family tree, my friends. A person without friends is not a person at all. A friend is a support system, a partner in crime, a necessity. I consider myself undeniably lucky to have such amazing characters to call my friends, one of which has traveled here to Penn State with me. Having your best friend as your roommate, although many have frowned upon it, has proved to be wonderfully comforting. At an institution of this size, it is nice to explore it with a familiar face. It has become ridiculous enough that we blurt out the same absurd comments in unison and can communicate without saying a word. I can honestly say I have found my second half, a feat many cannot boast of. Although my best friend is still by my side, it was amazingly difficult to leave Pittsburgh and all the wonderful companions that it contained. Keeping in touch through telephone and the internet is no substitute for the countless nights spent laughing and having the time of our lives without doing a thing. These girls truly are irreplaceable and a crucial piece of my developing puzzle.

 

A girl cannot simply rely on others to complete her puzzle, yet must include self enhancing activities to ensure balance. Art is my personal passion. Beginning at a young age, it was hard to find me not coloring or doodling on any paper I could get my hands on. Over the years my skills have evolved and my fervor has increased. In high school I embraced my creativeness and enrolled in numerous art classes, my favorite of which was a studio art class. I learned to stretch a canvas and gesso the surface to prepare for a potential masterpiece with endless possibilities. The most attractive aspect of art, to me, is the boundless opportunities. Art may me molded, in any form, to fit any interest. What one person considers a work of art, another may find completely appalling. It is this continual questioning that holds my interest and keeps me coming back for more. I am always yearning to learn more and discover all that I can about this fascinating subject, and also to explore my own possibilities within this very important piece of my puzzle.

 

As well as creatively exercising, I like to also enjoy physical activity which constitutes as another vital piece of my puzzle. In high school I actively participated all four years on the women’s lacrosse team. Although many individuals play sports, persisting in lacrosse was a particularly heartening accomplishment for me because at my first preseason practice, as a miserably out of shape freshman, my young coach suggested that lacrosse was not for me because of my lack of skill as a runner. She told me to look elsewhere for extra curricular activities. Needless to say, I stuck with the sport that I am now completely devoted to. Regardless of the physical pain and fatigue I always completed our runs, last place or not, proving my coach’s preconceptions of me to be false. Slowly I improved in stamina and endurance and continued to push myself even after the season had ended. I then was able to return in my sophomore year to lead the running packs and start on junior varsity in a wing position, which require many sprints up and down the field. The ecstasy of knowing that I did not quit, but rather worked hard to accomplish something, is a spirit that has stuck with me through the seasons. Thankfully, our horrible coach was fired half way through my sophomore season, but I did not stop pushing myself, because although it was an amazingly uplifting feeling to prove her wrong, it was an even greater feeling to prove to myself that I can accomplish anything I truly put my mind to. I still make time to go for a run around the neighborhood in order to stay in shape, not to mention its therapeutic aspects, and plan on keeping a physical puzzle piece as an important and necessary part of the whole.

 

Constructing a puzzle is a lifelong task that begins the day you are born through the duration of your life.Embarking on my journey as a college student has allowed me to review my puzzle thus far and analyze my likes and dislikes about it. Penn State is very obviously a chance to start new things and create new pieces of my puzzle, an opportunity I intend to grasp to the fullest. Every addition to this puzzle is not always intentional, although, and often times can even be unwanted. It is an inevitable human quality that we are flawed and that we all make an occasional mistake. Mistakes are a large part in the crafting of your puzzle. A blunder in life tests the strength of your pieces. A well put together puzzle can withhold the pressure of a wrong decision or accidental event. Speaking from personal experience, may force you to seriously consider what parts of your puzzle are most important, and will serve as the strongest support in your time of need. These decisions may not always be easy, but they must be made, and will in the long run make your puzzle that much better. Each and everyday I strive to construct a beautiful puzzle, laboring to make each piece fit together. Sometimes this task is frustrating, confusing, and seemingly hopeless, but I know that someday I will look at what I have created and see an expansive, well rounded, balanced and strong individual comprised of many complex pieces.

 

After reviewing some of my classmate's narratives I came across a few ideas that allowed me to better my own paper:

JenLo used excellent detail and really allowed a clear picture to form in my head through her writing, thus I tried to add more detail in my paper inorder to construct a picture for the reader.

KerrMe emphasized the fact that having started up here, in Penn State, that we all have a chance for a new beginning. I also, feel that way, and felt it would be an excellent thing to point out in my paper

**Thank you both for your ideas and inspiration!

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