Even though many situations seem negative, you can almost always find a more positive approach to the situation… says the athlete who has had three surgeries in the last four years. Even though I have faced the adversity of not being able to play the sports I love, I’ve learned many valuable lessons.
The first one I’ve learned most likely doesn’t sound important to most people, but as a basketball coach’s daughter and the point guard on my team, developing skills with my left hand have proven to be really helpful. After my wrist surgery in 8th grade, I came to each and every practice with my cast on and dribbled/shot with only my left hand. It’s actually become second nature to me now. So, there’s one positive on my BIG negative.
Second, I’ve learned how to juggle my emotions. I had to be able to put fear in the back of my mind when I was coming back from all 3 of my surgeries. There was the fear of getting back out there and wind up hurtagain, the fear to compete, and perhaps my biggest fear of failing. I just had to persevere through the fright and leave everything I had out on the court or field. I now know that I can do anything if I put my mind to it.
After getting so close to my physical therapists that the whole office knows me and basically my life, I knew I had been in rehab way too many times for way too long! Wrist, ankle, and shoulder...that's way too much for an 11th grader. Going to physical therapy 2x a week on and off for the last 4 years of my life seems horrible to me most days... but recently I have discovered that I have a deep interest in sports medicine and athletic training. I constantly find myself watching the physical therapists do work on their other patients. Thanks to the many hours in that physical therapy building, I now know that I would love to have a job in field. I plan to go to college and major in Kinesiology!
Lastly, I learned to never give up. Plain and simple. I never understood what it took to come back from injuries. And boy oh boy, I came to that realization real quick. Through the grueling hours I put in at physical therapy, I have to admit, I never thought it would end and wanted to quit multiple times. But I felt this fire in me that knew I couldn't ever do that.
Last May, when I found out I had to have another surgery, I was really devestated. I didn't know what to do... it meant no basketball or softball all summer (and part of the season), no swimming during the most hot months of the year, and no living an ordinary life for a few months. But I remember all the good things I have learned from the past and decided it wasn't going to be that bad. These lessons will stick with me forever.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Blog #5
During our class discussion, many people had different views on loneliness and whether or not homeless people are actually lonely. Everybody has their own opinions, but I want to put mine out there point blank. I think there is a HUGE difference between being alone and being lonely. Most of the time when someone is alone, it’s because they put themselves in that position and are choosing to live that way. When people are lonely, it seems like most of the time they are the type of people who hope everything comes to them instead of going out to get what they want.
I learned a lot about being judgmental during our discussions too. Our society as a whole always seems to jump to conclusions based on first impressions. I too, am guilty of this. The story of the Box Man really taught me some valuable life lessons.
I learned a lot about being judgmental during our discussions too. Our society as a whole always seems to jump to conclusions based on first impressions. I too, am guilty of this. The story of the Box Man really taught me some valuable life lessons.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Blog #4
There are different people in the different classrooms throughout the world but sometimes they have ironically similar traits. In my opinion, there are two distinctly different types of students. There are students who come from educated homes and those who come from home where education is not a priority.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that one is better than the other; it just means that one might have to work a little harder to succeed. The students who have educated parents most likely feel as if it is an expectation to be the best they can be in the classroom because the parents push them to succeed. The students who have families that don’t put education high on the priority list are usually internally motivated to succeed. They go through hardships and roadblocks to succeed in something that their families might not understand.
The two “types” of students are different, but they are also ironically similar. Both have to work hard if they want to reach high success and make their dreams come true. Even though they may not know it, both types of students are similar because they still go to class everyday, are eager to learn, and are ready to work hard.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that one is better than the other; it just means that one might have to work a little harder to succeed. The students who have educated parents most likely feel as if it is an expectation to be the best they can be in the classroom because the parents push them to succeed. The students who have families that don’t put education high on the priority list are usually internally motivated to succeed. They go through hardships and roadblocks to succeed in something that their families might not understand.
The two “types” of students are different, but they are also ironically similar. Both have to work hard if they want to reach high success and make their dreams come true. Even though they may not know it, both types of students are similar because they still go to class everyday, are eager to learn, and are ready to work hard.
Blog #2
For some reason this one didn't post, so I had to rewrite it. Anyways... here it is!
Of the many books I've read throughout my life, not many have been nonfiction. Of the ones that I have read; The Dairy of Anne Frank by Anne and Otto Frank, All But My Life by Gerda Weissmann Klein are the most memorable.
When I read The Diary of Anne Frank, the autobiography/diary, I remember her many admirable qualities. After reading her book, I remember wanting to be as strong as she was. Even though she faced enormous amounts of adversity throughout her life, she kept pushing in order to survive. I took that and gave all my heart in everything I do.
Gerda Weissmann Klein’s book, All But My Life, was inspirational too. Gerda's world was crumbling around her with her brother off to war and being seperated from her parents on the long marches to the camps. Plus, her only friends were dying left and right. She had to be self-reliant, optomistic, and courageous in order to live to see the next day. Gerda also had to mature real quick if she wanted any hopes of surviving. She had many admirable qualities that I try to engrain into my life and use everyday!
Of the many books I've read throughout my life, not many have been nonfiction. Of the ones that I have read; The Dairy of Anne Frank by Anne and Otto Frank, All But My Life by Gerda Weissmann Klein are the most memorable.
When I read The Diary of Anne Frank, the autobiography/diary, I remember her many admirable qualities. After reading her book, I remember wanting to be as strong as she was. Even though she faced enormous amounts of adversity throughout her life, she kept pushing in order to survive. I took that and gave all my heart in everything I do.
Gerda Weissmann Klein’s book, All But My Life, was inspirational too. Gerda's world was crumbling around her with her brother off to war and being seperated from her parents on the long marches to the camps. Plus, her only friends were dying left and right. She had to be self-reliant, optomistic, and courageous in order to live to see the next day. Gerda also had to mature real quick if she wanted any hopes of surviving. She had many admirable qualities that I try to engrain into my life and use everyday!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Blog #3
Over summer break, I read the novel, Secret Life of Bee’s by Sue Monk Kidd. The Secret Life of Bees is the story of Lily, a teenage girl who lives on a peach farm in South Carolina with her abusive father, T-Ray. Because her mother died when she was young, Lily is raised by an African-American housekeeper named Rosaleen. When Rosaleen takes Lily into town in order to vote after the Civil Right’s Act was passed, they get into some trouble and decide to leave town. They wind up in a city that is the perfect place for Lily to find the much desired information about her mother and also to mature as a young lady.
Even though the story has a lot to do with Lily finding herself as a young woman, it never gets too lost in her thoughts. Many valuable life lessons are dispersed throughout this book. Sue Monk Kidd makes the summer nights in South Carolina come to life in this book with vivid imagery and well developed characters. You feel as if you are really there, listening to the buzzing bees. If you want an awesome reading experience, I highly recommend The Secret Life of Bees. It is an astonishing novel that you won’t ever want to put down!
Even though the story has a lot to do with Lily finding herself as a young woman, it never gets too lost in her thoughts. Many valuable life lessons are dispersed throughout this book. Sue Monk Kidd makes the summer nights in South Carolina come to life in this book with vivid imagery and well developed characters. You feel as if you are really there, listening to the buzzing bees. If you want an awesome reading experience, I highly recommend The Secret Life of Bees. It is an astonishing novel that you won’t ever want to put down!
Blog #1
Hey guys!
My name is obviously Carly Wudel...I'm a Junior this year. I like to think that I am a good friend, pretty athletic, and a committed student. I live and breathe for basketball, but I also play softball here at the school. I hope this year is the best one yet!
=)
My name is obviously Carly Wudel...I'm a Junior this year. I like to think that I am a good friend, pretty athletic, and a committed student. I live and breathe for basketball, but I also play softball here at the school. I hope this year is the best one yet!
=)
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