Avatar!

Pandora

I want to live in Pandora. No, not the jewelry store. Not the radio. But the world in the hit movie Avatar by James Cameron. As I sat glued to my seat in the theater when I first saw the movie with my friends, I thought the idea was pure genius. I decided right then and there that this was my favorite movie. Everything was simply beautiful. The plot was thrilling, the characters were interesting, the music was excellent, and the nature in Pandora was stunning. When I wasn’t sobbing from the intense, depressing, and emotional scenes, I was whispering to my friends on my right and left about how cool and pretty it all was. I got so into the movie, and I personally think that movies that have that effect on you are the ones that should be called your ‘favorite’. Usually when I watch movies, I just watch it on the surface. For example, I think seeing action and funny scenes is enjoyable, and it takes less effort than thinking hard about the overall meaning and piecing it all together. It’s just how I am. However, during Avatar, every minute captivated me. I wanted to understand the entire movie and absorb as much as I could. My friend sitting next to me at one point was talking to her mom on the phone because she had called! It infuriated me how she was talking out loud, distracting me from my movie! Also, I got laughed at by all my friends because I was shedding tear after tear the whole time. They were all getting anxious because the movie was so long. I was the only one who wanted the movie to go on longer! I didn’t want to leave the theater once the credits rolled on. This was partially because I was in awe and couldn’t move, and partially because I wanted to be a part of this world, the one that the Na’vi tribe luckily got to take part in. I decided that I hated humans for their selfish intentions of destroying beautiful things, like how the people did in the movie so they could get a hold of a precious stone. Basically, this movie really moved me. I was disappointed to realize Pandora was strictly fiction. My life went on as I could only dream about living in that amazing land. 

My Injury

I’m a happy girl. I try as much as possible to be optimistic about life. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, as bad as the event may be. For example, if you have been on vacation for 5 weeks, are as homesick as you can possibly be, and you need to wake up at 1 AM to catch a 3 AM flight back home, only to find out that your tickets have been overbooked, you will mostly likely be disappointed. Especially when you are in 4^th or 5^th grade, exhausted, and miss your dad who stayed at home for business. It was the only time I had ever left an airport sobbing. But you know what? I was content in the end. I had an extra day to stay in Israel! And as a bonus, my mom, brother, and I got money back for being overbooked. So my point is, some people must realize that although there are difficult situations that you wish you had control over, you will always find positives. Think that it can always be worse.

January 14^th, 2010, was a significant day for me. It was 10 months ago and I remember the night crystal clearly. It was the day after a cheer competition, and my squad was bring productive. My stunting group decide to try 360’s, a mount where my bases throw me into the air while turning my feet so my body does a full turn as I come back down into their hands in a comfortable squat. I was able to do it within 15 minutes, and we even went straight into the lib balance, where I do a scale in an extension. Everyone was so excited when I got it, and we immediately pictured me doing it in the competition that Saturday. The coaches also saw how fast of a learner I was.

But that all changed when I tried it again. My left base didn’t catch my left leg while my right base did, so I landed straight onto my left leg while it was extended. My leg shook, I felt and heard a snap, and I fell back on my butt. All of a sudden, excruciating pain took over. I had never being in so much pain! I sat with my right leg extended while hugging my left knee, with my mind in a state of complete shock. My thoughts were racing, and I remember thinking that 1) everyone was looking at me, 2) I had never broken a bone or anything before, I couldn’t believe this was happening to me, and 3) now I get to take a break for a little bit. Tears weren’t even coming out of my eyes, I never thought about crying. My coach told me to extend my left leg so I could ice it. It was incredibly hard and painful to straighten it, but I did it and I iced for about 20 minutes. The other groups continued stunting. Finally 2 girls helped me stand up so I could go get my leg checked out at the trainers. They held my shoulders up as I tried taking weightless steps. When we got to the end of the mats, I decided to try a step on my own. I took one, and my knee buckled. I fell back down, and another wave of pain rushed through me. Then the 2 girls decided to carry me to the trainers, in a cheer cradle position. We were laughing as we speed walked across the halls, thinking about how funny we must’ve looked carrying me in a cradle. I have no idea how I managed to smile for those several moments. Finally I got to the trainers and laid on one of the tables. It was my first time ever being in there, and it’s crazy to imagine because that room had become my 2^nd home for the months after. I was given a card to fill out, and then Colleen appeared to check out my knee. I explained what had happened, and then she moved my knee to look for clues. I had to tell her what hurt, which I did not enjoy doing. Then Tom came to confirm Colleen’s guess. They had told me I might’ve torn my ACL. And I had no idea what an ACL was. It was when they explained to me what it is and what I will have to endure when the tears spilled. I couldn’t believe such a serious injury happened in a split second. All I did was land badly, and the effect was dramatic. The trainers scheduled an appointment for me to see a doctor the next morning, and I was given a huge, black brace and a wrap to wear. I tried walking with the brace, and I was fine. My mom and brother came to pick me up, both panicking, and I headed home.

I don’t recall what I was thinking that night. I had many texts and calls to reply to, a lot of repeating the same story. I only remember not thinking that this was a big deal. I thought I’d get better fast, after all, I’ve always been healthy. I thought I would return the cheerleading before the season ended. However, I was so wrong.

After many appointments, it was concluded that I had torn my ACL, torn other ligaments, and bruised the bones. My surgery was February 23^rd

But gradually, I returned to normal. I was able to walk again, then bike, and then jog. I was getting through it. Soon enough I was allowed to take showers without covering my scars with saran wrap, and I had built the strength allowing me to stand the whole time. I didn't have to take my pain medications anymore. I still continued my therapy, but I was just so grateful to be able to walk.

As I said earlier, I’m optimistic. This injury had been my biggest struggle ever endured, and I’ve successfully gotten past that. I always reminded myself that the injury could have been worse. I could of landed on my head and gotten a concussion! I was lucky that the only part of me affected was my knee, and that the injury wasn’t permanent. It led me to a period of great caution, which meant I was actually safer. Even though I wished I could return to cheerleading right away, it wasn’t so bad having more time for myself. I got close to some of the people that went to the trainers, and I even met new people. I learned a lot about injuries and taking care of myself, and the physical therapy has helped get me back into shape.

Currently, I wear a smaller brace, but only when I’m in P.E. and I’m jumping or doing an activity that twists my knee. I still need to do therapy on my own because my strength isn’t completely there again. But I feel fine and healthy, and I’m looking forward to trying out for cheerleading again. Throughout the span of my injury, I was still able to hang out with friends, do well in school, and smile every day. I would have rather not gotten hurt, but this injury could have prevented other ones, and I’m happy about that. I found the positives, stayed strong, and was content with the life I lived during this tough time.

What would you have done in my situation?

TRUE STORY:

Monday after school last week, I decided to go for a bike ride. I rode to the park by my house, an extensive one with a nice bike trail. I was out alone, so I knew to be careful. Avoid biking behind the hill where no one could see me. Pay attention to creepy looking men. Notice if someone is following me. Keep my phone in my pocket. After all, this was the day after Halloween. I saw too many horror films that weekend, including Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. The terrified mode remained in me, especially because SVU is so realistic! So I’m at the park, biking around, enjoying the crisp cool air. I parked my bike at the bottom of the stairs climbing up the hill, and I jogged up. I stood at the top of the hill and stared off into the horizon, taking in the beauties around me. The forest, the noisy highway, the visible roofs from the neighborhoods, my old middle school. Then I saw a middle-aged man wearing a black shirt and sunglasses walking up the hill, and we made eye contact. So I ran down the hill and continued biking. One more lap and I’m going home, I decided. As I was riding by the pond around a soccer field, my attention turned to a dark bundle on the grass, about 20 feet away. My vision isn’t very good and I wasn’t wearing my glasses, so I had a difficult time making out what I was seeing. As I slowly rode past, I thought I saw feet and a face peeping out from a thick black coat. The length was that of a toddler lying down with his knees bent. And the object stood perfectly still. I continued biking, putting together thoughts of what I had just observed. Why would a little boy be lying down on the grass alone? There were other people walking around the park, so I thought that there was probably nothing wrong. But as I headed home, a question hit me hard: What if it’s actually a dead kid?!  I felt as though I was witnessing what is always witnessed in SVU, but without the camera and set in the background. This was reality, and I noticed all the creepy men walking around the park earlier. I considered turning around to check out the object, but then I thought, if that’s actually a murdered child, I would be scarred for life with fear. I don’t need to do anything; there are other people to take care of these things. But as I rode up my driveway, morals took over me. If my child was lost and possibly killed, I would want to get as much information as I could. I would want witnesses. So I walked into my house and explained what I saw to my mom and brother Avi. I asked Avi to bike back to the park with me to check it out, because I felt safer there with my brother. And two heads work better than one. When he finished his sandwich, we left the house, with my mom’s last words of, “if it’s actually a dead kid, don’t touch him!” She said it so casually, too. Off we went, with much nervousness and anxiety. I pictured myself calling the police, getting interviewed, being thanked for my help, and becoming a hero. I would have been the talk of the school, a local celebrity. I would go back to school the next day as a new person, telling everyone my crazy experience. I would be on the news, describing in great detail what happened. Finally, I reached the spot where I saw the clump. It was no longer there. The field was the same as it had always been. Avi and I biked the entire park, looking for signs of murder. Nothing. No blood, strange footprints, strange hairs. I returned home in great disappointment.

Around the World

My dream is to travel the entire world. Every continent, country, city. Mountain, desert, grassland. Ocean, lake, river. I love seeing things for myself. Yeah, I could sit in a classroom hearing about what’s out there. I could memorize a few facts about cultures. But nothing compares to experiencing it for myself. My dad is the type to travel a ton for business, and it is him who has influenced my taste for different cultures. In my 15 years of being alive, I have already reached many destinations.  I’ve been to many U.S. states, Mexico, Canada, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Israel, Netherlands, Belgium, Namibia, and South Africa. If I wanted to count airports, I’ve also landed in Frankfurt, London, Rome, and Dakar. However, what I want is to go to an exotic place and fully experience it. I’d love to see tourist countries like France, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, England, and Spain, while also passing through small towns in China, Thailand, and Japan. I’d like to freeze in Alaska or Greenland and chill in Australia. I want to climb pyramids in Egypt and South America and visit castles in Ireland, Scotland, and Whales. I’d love to see the Amazon Rainforest in South America and ride alongside wild animals in African safaris. I’d love to go snorkeling in random seas and oceans, exploring the marine life as well. The world offers so many activities and sites, and I want to grasp it all! Different cultures are a huge interest of mine, like trying the authentic foods of every country. It’s intriguing to compare other societies to my own. I will spend my entire life making this dream of mine come true!

My Homecoming Group!

Homecoming 2010

Last week was homecoming week. From start to finish, every minute outside of the classroom was festive. Walking down the decorated halls, hearing music during passing periods, donating to Youth Services in a creative way, and picking out crazy outfits to wear. I wish every week was like this! It created a lively atmosphere in school, giving me more energy and helping me focus! Lady Gaga Day was especially entertaining as I pulled out a bright, flashy top and accessories to strut down the halls wearing. The football game Friday night was exciting, and it was nice being able to see all my friends at once. The next day after hours of beauty preps, homecoming night officially began. When all my group’s faces were finally sore from smiling, we stepped up onto our grand party bus. After stuffing ourselves with some Italian Maggiano’s, we continued dancing through the streets till we reached the dance. The music pumped us up like no other! Next, we all murdered each other in laser tag. The competition was intense during the two rounds. After that, we all went back to someone’s house to hang out until the guys and girls separated for the sleepovers. It was a perfect night, ending a perfect week.

Necklaces With Stories of their Own

My necklaces in my room

I sit here in the math computer lab and think to myself, what do I care about? Well, I care about my friends, family, grades. Homecoming is this weekend and I have to prepare for that, thinking about what hairstyles and makeup I want. Or should I focus on the near future, like where I want my family to go for winter break? Well, I would like to go somewhere exotic. No, I’ll think even deeper. When I grow up, I wanna’ be famous, I wanna’ be a star, I wanna’ be in movies. Kidding. If I’m going to be realistic, I’m probably going to be a jeweler. The majority of my family is in the jewelry business, which probably explains why I’ve always had a keen interest in jewelry. I’m always the girl that comes to school with bracelets clinking together as I write an essay, earrings dangling with my every move, and with a gleaming necklace to match my outfit. Each piece of my jewelry has a story of its own. For example, there’s a necklace that my friend’s mom got for me when she travelled to Italy to report news from the Olympics in 2006. There’s a Hamsa necklace I bought last summer when I went through the Shook ha Carmel in Israel; my good luck necklace with a Star of David displayed. On one hook I have a black and silver flower necklace that my aunt gave me years ago when I visited her in Israel. Another chain was a gift from my dad when we were in Lake Geneva a while back with my cousins. Behind that is a pendant with a salmon flower inside of clear class, a necklace that I never fail to get comments on. One necklace that stands out is a blood-red stone on a tomato red string that my dad bought on his business trip to Thailand. Lastly, I have a wooden peace sign necklace that my mom bought for me while shopping at a department store. Although these are only necklaces, each bead, string, and chain has had some impact or meaning in my life. It’s little treasures like these that I always care about.

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