Whoever thought of putting two planks of wood on their feet and getting pulled at high speeds by boats was a genius. Skiing is one of the most fun water activities I have ever participated in, and until this year I never understood why so many people liked it and liked going to the lake. Well my friend Landon got a jet ski at the beginning of the school year and I just thought it was another one of his money making schemes, but he actually bought this jet ski for recreational use. So the weekend before school started back he convinced Stren, and me to accompany him to Lake Sinclair for a Saturday, and we agreed.
We met at Landon's house around 3:30 that afternoon because I had to work earlier. We hooked up the trailer with the jet ski and set off. It is nearly an hour long drive to Lake Sinclair from Landon's house. We were going to Dennis Station since we are teenagers and have no desire to pay for our entry to the lake. We pulled up and the parking lot was desolate, and we were very excited by this. We wanted the lake to be as empty as possible for our skiing adventure. We backed the jet ski down the boat ramp into the water and Landon started it up and pulled closer to the dock for us to board. Stren got the Dick Pope Jr. labeled skis out of the truck. They were wooden skis from Landon's mom. We all zipped up our life vests and got on the jet ski. I hadn't been on a jet ski in around ten years so when Landon floored it and we skipped across the surface of the lake, an unbreakable smile came across my face. I once heard a comedian that said we should use Seadoo's as anti depressants because it is impossible to be sad on a jet ski, and I completely agree with this.
Finally we drove the jet ski into a smaller cove, away from the traffic and rough waves. I also hadn't attempted to ski in nearly ten years too, so it was a learning experience for me. I jumped in the water and Landon tossed me the skis. I fit them onto my feet snuggly so they wouldn't fall of and I could get better control and then Landon tossed me the ski rope. He told me that they were going to idle the jet ski along until there was some tension on the line and then I would give the signal to go.
As soon as the line pulled tight I felt very nervous. Landon had explained the theory of skiing to me and it all sounded so easy. I figured I just had to try it and see for myself. I gave the "ok" to go and I heard the jet ski roar to life and I gripped the ski rope for dear life. In an instant I was ripped from the water and trying to get my balance but instead slapped my face into the water. Landon whipped the jet ski around and came back to try again. The second time I was prepared for what was going to happen, and I felt sure I would get it. Once again I gave the "ok" and I heard the engine whine. I was lifted from the water and I gained my balance quickly, but instead of keeping me going, Landon stopped the jet ski and I sank back to the water. He apologized for this, and we set off for the third round. Third time is definitely the charm. I was lifted from the water, I gained my balance, and Landon didn't ruin my effort. I felt myself gliding smoothly across the surface of the water, and was immensely delighted. I was still shaky on the skis, but I was catching on quickly. My mom had always told me how much she loved to ski when she was younger, and I told her later that I had her gene for skiing because I just couldn't get enough. I wanted to get better and better. My final accomplishment of the first day of successful skiing was to cross the wake made by the jet ski. I failed numerous times, but each time I continued to get closer. Finally as the day came to an end and we headed back to the dock, I drifted to one side of the wake and built up speed to launch myself over the other side of the wake. I had done it. Thus concludes my first day of skiing.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Work
Working is inevitable in a lifetime. Everyone must do it at some point, and some people will have to work harder than others. Some people may inherit millions and others may never see a dime. I feel that working is a good thing to start doing while you are young. I won't say that you should work your life away, but working develops maturity, responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment when the first paycheck arrives. I got my first real job when I was sixteen. It was the summer right before the beginning of my junior year. I got my foot in the door at Piedmont Animal Hospital. I have always wanted to be a veterinarian, and I wanted to start off and gain experience and knowledge at Piedmont before I finally decided that this was the path I wanted to take with my life. I had an appointment with one of our dogs towards the end of the summer and at the end of the appointment I asked Dr. Hall if they needed any help I would love the chance to work there, and it turned out that their current Kennel Tech would be leaving for college in early September. I had asked at the perfect time and I had got an interview a week later and then the job was mine. I was trained by both of the current Kennel Techs on how to do my job. I am still employed at Piedmont Animal Hospital so they must have done well.
As a Kennel Tech I work with the dogs that board at the hospital. I am in charge of feeding them, giving them water, cleaning their kennels, and bathing them. As I worked my way up I began administering medications to animals and helping more in the treatment room. My dream position for high school was to become a Lab Technician. They were in charge of working side by side with the veterinarians and running lab work, and all of the things that I found truly intriguing. I wanted that position, and the summer after my junior year I asked if I could get more hours during the summer and they allowed me to start training as a Lab Technician. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays I worked from 7:30 A.M to 6:00 P.M. The new schedule was exhausting and it forced me to manage my time over the summer, and I was not used to this at all over the summer. It did not matter, I was working as a Lab Technician and that's all that mattered to me. There were three other technicians that assisted in training me, but I give the most credit to Rebecca. She had been there the longest and understood how everything worked. She taught me how to work the lab work machines, how to draw blood, how to wrap surgical packs, and simple things like the proper way to position a dog during a nail trim or just to watch the machines that monitored heart-rate during surgery. I owe her so much. It really was an amazing experience and I got to do something I loved, however, I decided after that summer that I wanted to work with large animals. I could not tolerate being indoors for ten and a half hours of the day. I missed the sunlight. I had ridden with the mobile veterinarian, Dr. Proctor before the summer and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of that day. I was outside working with farm animals and that was what I wanted and I knew it after that day. I have grown up around farm animals, and they just interest me much more. The veterinarians that stayed at the hospital told me that there was no money in large animal medicine, unless I move out of state. I have considered moving out of state before so I am open to the idea. I don't necessarily need to make more money, I just need to be happy with my job and my life. I feel like I am dedicated enough to becoming a large animal veterinarian, that in about eight or nine years I will be in the midwest treating livestock.
As a Kennel Tech I work with the dogs that board at the hospital. I am in charge of feeding them, giving them water, cleaning their kennels, and bathing them. As I worked my way up I began administering medications to animals and helping more in the treatment room. My dream position for high school was to become a Lab Technician. They were in charge of working side by side with the veterinarians and running lab work, and all of the things that I found truly intriguing. I wanted that position, and the summer after my junior year I asked if I could get more hours during the summer and they allowed me to start training as a Lab Technician. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays I worked from 7:30 A.M to 6:00 P.M. The new schedule was exhausting and it forced me to manage my time over the summer, and I was not used to this at all over the summer. It did not matter, I was working as a Lab Technician and that's all that mattered to me. There were three other technicians that assisted in training me, but I give the most credit to Rebecca. She had been there the longest and understood how everything worked. She taught me how to work the lab work machines, how to draw blood, how to wrap surgical packs, and simple things like the proper way to position a dog during a nail trim or just to watch the machines that monitored heart-rate during surgery. I owe her so much. It really was an amazing experience and I got to do something I loved, however, I decided after that summer that I wanted to work with large animals. I could not tolerate being indoors for ten and a half hours of the day. I missed the sunlight. I had ridden with the mobile veterinarian, Dr. Proctor before the summer and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of that day. I was outside working with farm animals and that was what I wanted and I knew it after that day. I have grown up around farm animals, and they just interest me much more. The veterinarians that stayed at the hospital told me that there was no money in large animal medicine, unless I move out of state. I have considered moving out of state before so I am open to the idea. I don't necessarily need to make more money, I just need to be happy with my job and my life. I feel like I am dedicated enough to becoming a large animal veterinarian, that in about eight or nine years I will be in the midwest treating livestock.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Guns
People say that guns kill people. Well those people are idiots. Guns cannot physically walk up to someone and unload a bullet into them. If it weren't for guns our nation might not exist. That is why we established the second amendment. People have the right to bear arms to defend themselves, or hunt, or whatever other purpose they need them for. I have guns for the main purpose of hunting. I hunt; deer, turkey, dove, raccoons, and squirrels. I may get called a redneck for this, but it's what I enjoy doing.
I started with pellet guns when I was much younger, and my dad taught me everything about gun safety. Eventually I moved up and started shooting a larger caliber of rifle, and different gauges of shotguns. For squirrels I use a .22 caliber rifle. It is about a one inch long bullet used for small game, that is why I use it for squirrels and also raccoon. The bullet has enough power behind it to take out smaller game easily, but with larger game it would be much more difficult, therefore it is illegal to hunt deer with a .22 caliber rifle. For deer hunting I shoot my Marlin lever-action 30-30. I have had this gun for about 4 years. The bullet is much larger than a .22. It is about 3 inches long, and used for much larger game, like deer, hogs, coyotes, etc. I have also shot my dad's 30-06, a gun which was popularized with the United States military during World War Two for their snipers. This gun was invented by the Springfield gun company. It was very popular for its stopping power, and still is today for all sorts of big game.
Next comes the shotguns. These were invented during World War One for trench warfare. The combat was so close during some of these battles that the military needed something very effective at close quarters combat. Its original title was the Trench Gun. Nowadays they are used mainly for different types of bird hunting. They can also be used to hunt deer. In fact the first two deer I ever killed were with a 20 gauge shotgun. Shotguns are different about their ammunition. Each shotgun can only shoot the shells appropriate for the gauge of shotgun, but each gauge of shotgun has a wide variety of shells to choose from. There can be different lengths to the shell size or different shot size depending on the type of animal, or different added bonuses to each shell depending on the animal. For example, Turkey loads are often three and one-half inch shells with size four shot. The three and one-half inch shell allows for the maximum amount of gunpowder and shot to by crafted into each shell. This allows for a longer shot with larger pellets. Another bonus of the shotgun is the ability to add a screw in choke to the end of the barrel. The choke is a simple device that controls the spread of the pellets as they are fired from the shotgun. There are many different types of chokes, but there are three main types: Full choke, Improved Cylinder, and Modified choke. The Full choke is designed to keep the shot as compact and uniform as possible for long distance shots. The modified choke keeps it slightly less compact which is a drawback to range, but allows for the pellets to scatter farther. Lastly there is the improved cylinder, which is to allow the pellets to spread farther, which usually increases the odds of hitting a flying or fast moving target. This choke greatly reduces range though.
Guns should never be removed from society and the people that are against owning guns have probably never shot a gun. They don't realize that they can be very fun if handled properly, and that in necessary self-defense situations a gun close by can be a difference maker.
I started with pellet guns when I was much younger, and my dad taught me everything about gun safety. Eventually I moved up and started shooting a larger caliber of rifle, and different gauges of shotguns. For squirrels I use a .22 caliber rifle. It is about a one inch long bullet used for small game, that is why I use it for squirrels and also raccoon. The bullet has enough power behind it to take out smaller game easily, but with larger game it would be much more difficult, therefore it is illegal to hunt deer with a .22 caliber rifle. For deer hunting I shoot my Marlin lever-action 30-30. I have had this gun for about 4 years. The bullet is much larger than a .22. It is about 3 inches long, and used for much larger game, like deer, hogs, coyotes, etc. I have also shot my dad's 30-06, a gun which was popularized with the United States military during World War Two for their snipers. This gun was invented by the Springfield gun company. It was very popular for its stopping power, and still is today for all sorts of big game.
Next comes the shotguns. These were invented during World War One for trench warfare. The combat was so close during some of these battles that the military needed something very effective at close quarters combat. Its original title was the Trench Gun. Nowadays they are used mainly for different types of bird hunting. They can also be used to hunt deer. In fact the first two deer I ever killed were with a 20 gauge shotgun. Shotguns are different about their ammunition. Each shotgun can only shoot the shells appropriate for the gauge of shotgun, but each gauge of shotgun has a wide variety of shells to choose from. There can be different lengths to the shell size or different shot size depending on the type of animal, or different added bonuses to each shell depending on the animal. For example, Turkey loads are often three and one-half inch shells with size four shot. The three and one-half inch shell allows for the maximum amount of gunpowder and shot to by crafted into each shell. This allows for a longer shot with larger pellets. Another bonus of the shotgun is the ability to add a screw in choke to the end of the barrel. The choke is a simple device that controls the spread of the pellets as they are fired from the shotgun. There are many different types of chokes, but there are three main types: Full choke, Improved Cylinder, and Modified choke. The Full choke is designed to keep the shot as compact and uniform as possible for long distance shots. The modified choke keeps it slightly less compact which is a drawback to range, but allows for the pellets to scatter farther. Lastly there is the improved cylinder, which is to allow the pellets to spread farther, which usually increases the odds of hitting a flying or fast moving target. This choke greatly reduces range though.
Guns should never be removed from society and the people that are against owning guns have probably never shot a gun. They don't realize that they can be very fun if handled properly, and that in necessary self-defense situations a gun close by can be a difference maker.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Intelligence and Work Ethic
I don't believe anyone can put a proper definition on intelligence. It is nearly impossible to define because of all of the different types of intelligence. You can't just say it's someone with straight A's or a 2400 on the SAT, because that is only one form of intelligence. Those people are gifted mentally and that is their form of intelligence. Other people may not have perfect grades or a great SAT score, but they may be able to completely restore an automobile, or build amazing structures. That is their form of intelligence. All of it requires an amount of mental capacity no matter the activity, but the definition of intelligence cannot be stated.
Work ethic can play an enormous role in intelligence. Usually the more interest a person has devoted to a certain area, the more time they are willing to spend critiquing themselves. If Landon loves cars, then he will work harder to become a better mechanic. If I love learning about medicine, and animal science then I am going to push myself to become a great veterinarian one day. Then there are people that have no interest at all in a particular subject, but seem to master it anyway. It just comes naturally to these people. Someone that is not so mentally gifted may have to struggle through to receive the same grade as the smart lazy person. The fact is that the person that has to work for their grades develops more responsibility, and study techniques from this. Their work ethic is what provides them with a level intelligence.
I had a health teacher in the ninth grade that told us throughout the semester that he was not a smart man. He told us that the only reason he got to where he was in life is because of his work ethic. He said he struggled constantly through school , but he persevered and got a football scholarship to Georgia Southern and maintained the grades to keep his scholarship. He admitted that he had to work just as hard on the football field as he did in the classroom. Ever since ninth grade I have remembered as much as I can from this coach, because he really taught us a lot that most of the time didn't even relate to health, but it was just as important.
My entire life I have been surrounded by extremely hard-working people, and in a non-narcissistic way I truly feel that I have become like these people. I got my first part-time job at Piedmont Animal Hospital, with the future goal of becoming a veterinarian. I have worked there since July of 2010 as a Kennel Technician and a Lab Technician. I have made sure that both of the current veterinarians there are aware that I want to become a veterinarian, and I want them to teach me as much as possible before I leave for college. I really crave knowledge about veterinary medicine, and I will work as hard as possible to achieve my goal for the future. My work ethic is what defines me. I don't do anything halfway.
I feel that colleges base too much of their decision on the SAT. This is the test that they feel truly identifies intelligence. How someone performs on the SAT is not necessarily an indicator of how they will do in college. It seems that every scholarship available is based on your SAT score. My SAT score is above average, but that still doesn't change the fact that this standardized test should not be a deciding factor on if a college selects you or not. Colleges thankfully look at your high school GPA, and the rigor of the courses you have taken throughout high school. Hopefully all of these factors will contribute to me being accepted to the University of Georgia or Texas A&M University. These two schools both have astounding veterinary medicine programs, and I would feel honored to one day be a student at one of these schools. However the next school year plays out for me I will be satisfied with what I have accomplished so far in life, and I know that I will only become more intelligent in veterinary medicine.
Work ethic can play an enormous role in intelligence. Usually the more interest a person has devoted to a certain area, the more time they are willing to spend critiquing themselves. If Landon loves cars, then he will work harder to become a better mechanic. If I love learning about medicine, and animal science then I am going to push myself to become a great veterinarian one day. Then there are people that have no interest at all in a particular subject, but seem to master it anyway. It just comes naturally to these people. Someone that is not so mentally gifted may have to struggle through to receive the same grade as the smart lazy person. The fact is that the person that has to work for their grades develops more responsibility, and study techniques from this. Their work ethic is what provides them with a level intelligence.
I had a health teacher in the ninth grade that told us throughout the semester that he was not a smart man. He told us that the only reason he got to where he was in life is because of his work ethic. He said he struggled constantly through school , but he persevered and got a football scholarship to Georgia Southern and maintained the grades to keep his scholarship. He admitted that he had to work just as hard on the football field as he did in the classroom. Ever since ninth grade I have remembered as much as I can from this coach, because he really taught us a lot that most of the time didn't even relate to health, but it was just as important.
My entire life I have been surrounded by extremely hard-working people, and in a non-narcissistic way I truly feel that I have become like these people. I got my first part-time job at Piedmont Animal Hospital, with the future goal of becoming a veterinarian. I have worked there since July of 2010 as a Kennel Technician and a Lab Technician. I have made sure that both of the current veterinarians there are aware that I want to become a veterinarian, and I want them to teach me as much as possible before I leave for college. I really crave knowledge about veterinary medicine, and I will work as hard as possible to achieve my goal for the future. My work ethic is what defines me. I don't do anything halfway.
I feel that colleges base too much of their decision on the SAT. This is the test that they feel truly identifies intelligence. How someone performs on the SAT is not necessarily an indicator of how they will do in college. It seems that every scholarship available is based on your SAT score. My SAT score is above average, but that still doesn't change the fact that this standardized test should not be a deciding factor on if a college selects you or not. Colleges thankfully look at your high school GPA, and the rigor of the courses you have taken throughout high school. Hopefully all of these factors will contribute to me being accepted to the University of Georgia or Texas A&M University. These two schools both have astounding veterinary medicine programs, and I would feel honored to one day be a student at one of these schools. However the next school year plays out for me I will be satisfied with what I have accomplished so far in life, and I know that I will only become more intelligent in veterinary medicine.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
AP Classes
Once I reached the tenth grade I got into my first legitimate Advanced Placement class. I had heard all of the horror stories about how terrible it was from some people, and then how others loved the experience. Of course I had to make my own opinion as the year progressed. The subject was United States History. It was not my ideal AP class to start with since I am based more towards science and math, but you have to start somewhere. We enter the class the first day and we are told how most of the class depends on us actually studying and thinking for ourselves, whereas in a regular placement class we would be spoon fed everything we needed to know and given more worksheets than we could imagine. This already started off to my liking because throughout my entire life I have detested worksheets over subjects that I have already mastered. It was a waste of time in my opinion when I could have been learning something essential to my career plans or just something I had a strong passion for.
The first test rolls around the second week of school and I don't have a clue what to expect since every test I had taken up to this point in my life had been a breeze. The savior on the first test was the fact that we had been given a plethora of summer assignments for this class. This forced everyone to read and actually understand what they were doing. Everyone serious about the test also attended a study session the Sunday before test week to hopefully get some insight on what the test would be about. The scantron for the first test is handed to me, and I write my name and the date on it and awaited my first ever Advanced Placement test. As the teacher comes to our group I feel a knot in my stomach. She then lowers on test packet onto my desk and I read the first question, and to my astonishment I knew the answer. I was thrilled with myself. I went through the packet answering question after question. I did hit a snag with four or five questions, but for my first AP test I felt like I was accomplishing something vital to my success later on in school and life.
Throughout the year I did notice an extreme change in the pace of the classroom and an increased difficulty in the work, but I persevered and received an 88 average for the year. It was only the second B I had ever received in my entire life for a final average, but I felt better about that 88 than I did about most A's in regular classes. It made me feel like I was truly being challenged for once. I had to study like I had never studied before and think like I had never thought before. It really forced me to mature at a young age.
The next year I got my schedule and I was enrolled in three advanced placement classes; literature, government, and biology. I chose the biology as an elective because I do very well in science classes and I truly enjoy them. I knew that I would have no problem with this class. I also knew that I was a successful writer, so the literature wouldn't pose a threat to my grade point average. Lastly was the government. All I had ever heard was that AP government was extremely easy. Apparently it was only easy if you got a specific teacher, and unfortunately I did not get that teacher. I still had high hopes though. The first test approached in government. I didn't feel the need to study for an extended period of time, so I goofed off and my grade reflected this. For the next test I felt like I had appropriately readied myself for whatever she could throw at me, and still my grade was no where near what I wanted or was capable of. Test after test I just couldn't match up to the AP Government test generator. I got extremely discouraged and I was managing a B by acing every daily grade we got. I wanted an A so bad, just one nine weeks, but I never got to taste it. After all my suffering I received an 84 for the year; by far the lowest grade I had ever gotten.
This class showed me that I did have a weakness to certain subjects in school. I put in all of the work, only to receive a low mark. The remarkable thing is that I would do it all over again. I wouldn't take the easy way out into a regular level class. No matter how hard the class is, I would rather be constantly challenged and get a grade I worked for, than to sleep in class and make a 100 for the year. Advanced Placement classes are the best thing I have gotten involved with in school, and I know they will pay off for me in the long run.
The first test rolls around the second week of school and I don't have a clue what to expect since every test I had taken up to this point in my life had been a breeze. The savior on the first test was the fact that we had been given a plethora of summer assignments for this class. This forced everyone to read and actually understand what they were doing. Everyone serious about the test also attended a study session the Sunday before test week to hopefully get some insight on what the test would be about. The scantron for the first test is handed to me, and I write my name and the date on it and awaited my first ever Advanced Placement test. As the teacher comes to our group I feel a knot in my stomach. She then lowers on test packet onto my desk and I read the first question, and to my astonishment I knew the answer. I was thrilled with myself. I went through the packet answering question after question. I did hit a snag with four or five questions, but for my first AP test I felt like I was accomplishing something vital to my success later on in school and life.
Throughout the year I did notice an extreme change in the pace of the classroom and an increased difficulty in the work, but I persevered and received an 88 average for the year. It was only the second B I had ever received in my entire life for a final average, but I felt better about that 88 than I did about most A's in regular classes. It made me feel like I was truly being challenged for once. I had to study like I had never studied before and think like I had never thought before. It really forced me to mature at a young age.
The next year I got my schedule and I was enrolled in three advanced placement classes; literature, government, and biology. I chose the biology as an elective because I do very well in science classes and I truly enjoy them. I knew that I would have no problem with this class. I also knew that I was a successful writer, so the literature wouldn't pose a threat to my grade point average. Lastly was the government. All I had ever heard was that AP government was extremely easy. Apparently it was only easy if you got a specific teacher, and unfortunately I did not get that teacher. I still had high hopes though. The first test approached in government. I didn't feel the need to study for an extended period of time, so I goofed off and my grade reflected this. For the next test I felt like I had appropriately readied myself for whatever she could throw at me, and still my grade was no where near what I wanted or was capable of. Test after test I just couldn't match up to the AP Government test generator. I got extremely discouraged and I was managing a B by acing every daily grade we got. I wanted an A so bad, just one nine weeks, but I never got to taste it. After all my suffering I received an 84 for the year; by far the lowest grade I had ever gotten.
This class showed me that I did have a weakness to certain subjects in school. I put in all of the work, only to receive a low mark. The remarkable thing is that I would do it all over again. I wouldn't take the easy way out into a regular level class. No matter how hard the class is, I would rather be constantly challenged and get a grade I worked for, than to sleep in class and make a 100 for the year. Advanced Placement classes are the best thing I have gotten involved with in school, and I know they will pay off for me in the long run.
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