"You're such a smart kid." But is that all I am?
Ever since I was in elementary school, my parents, teachers, and friends told me that hollow phrase, making me believe that's all I was good for. After school, I followed the typical "Asian child" routine of doing my homework, practicing my instrument, and finishing up supplement worksheets my mother gave me to "prepare me for future classes." At the end of the day, all that was left was for me to go to eat, and then go to sleep, only to repeat that same routine the next day.
Because of my constant focus on academics, I had created a forced belief that all that matters are the grades. As a result of that twisted ideology I subconsciously formed within in my mind, I, in simple terms, let myself …show more content…
On one chilly, yet invigorating morning in November of my eighth grade year, I noticed one sheet on the wall of the nurse's office. "Swim Sign-Up sheet." Well, I really enjoyed swimming over the summer, recreational swimming that is. Honestly speaking, I liked floating and feeling the cool water surrounding me. So, I signed my name, thinking that it would be fun and …show more content…
I felt my heart tearing out of my chest, screaming at me to quit and breathe. My mind was worse, telling me to "go back to studying. You're not suited for sports." But I kept with it, and managed to finish the beastly swim sets that my friends considered an easy “warm-up." Afterwards, my coach went up to me and said something I will never forget.
Good job, see you tomorrow.
Something simple, yet so powerful. Finally, the words of sincerity and acknowledgement I've longed for my entire life thus far. That night, as I went to bed, I felt the most pain I've ever experienced in my entire life, and smiled as I succumbed to sleep.
I would go to practice everyday, and even run during the weekends. My teammates would ask me why, and I would just respond with, "Why not?" To reiterate, I had teammates. The athletes that previously gave me subtle looks of disgust would acknowledge me as well, becoming those teammates I would fully trust. Eventually, I would find crew, which was not just a sport that would help me conquer obesity, but one that I was exceptional in as well. As one of the three freshmen that made the Varsity Crew team, I finally became an integral part of a team and broke the mold I was born
Ever since I was in elementary school, my parents, teachers, and friends told me that hollow phrase, making me believe that's all I was good for. After school, I followed the typical "Asian child" routine of doing my homework, practicing my instrument, and finishing up supplement worksheets my mother gave me to "prepare me for future classes." At the end of the day, all that was left was for me to go to eat, and then go to sleep, only to repeat that same routine the next day.
Because of my constant focus on academics, I had created a forced belief that all that matters are the grades. As a result of that twisted ideology I subconsciously formed within in my mind, I, in simple terms, let myself …show more content…
On one chilly, yet invigorating morning in November of my eighth grade year, I noticed one sheet on the wall of the nurse's office. "Swim Sign-Up sheet." Well, I really enjoyed swimming over the summer, recreational swimming that is. Honestly speaking, I liked floating and feeling the cool water surrounding me. So, I signed my name, thinking that it would be fun and …show more content…
I felt my heart tearing out of my chest, screaming at me to quit and breathe. My mind was worse, telling me to "go back to studying. You're not suited for sports." But I kept with it, and managed to finish the beastly swim sets that my friends considered an easy “warm-up." Afterwards, my coach went up to me and said something I will never forget.
Good job, see you tomorrow.
Something simple, yet so powerful. Finally, the words of sincerity and acknowledgement I've longed for my entire life thus far. That night, as I went to bed, I felt the most pain I've ever experienced in my entire life, and smiled as I succumbed to sleep.
I would go to practice everyday, and even run during the weekends. My teammates would ask me why, and I would just respond with, "Why not?" To reiterate, I had teammates. The athletes that previously gave me subtle looks of disgust would acknowledge me as well, becoming those teammates I would fully trust. Eventually, I would find crew, which was not just a sport that would help me conquer obesity, but one that I was exceptional in as well. As one of the three freshmen that made the Varsity Crew team, I finally became an integral part of a team and broke the mold I was born