PLN #2 What Matters to Me

Many things matter to me like surfing, soccer, and my family. I honestly don’t know how I would live without any of them. They are close to my heart and keep me going in life.

Surfing matters to me. When I think of a happy place, I think of the ocean and me surfing in it. I love to surf. It gives me a sense of pleasure and freedom whenever I start paddling out. I would say surfing is my life, but that would be a lie since there is no ocean near Colorado. My dad grew up in Hawaii so whenever we visit the family, he takes us out surfing and shows us what his life was like when he was our age, hitchhiking to the ocean everyday and surfing for hours. He teaches us then techniques and how to know when to catch a wave and how to just simply keep your balance. People learn from mistakes, if it’s not turning in homework, or falling off the board onto a coral head because your stance is off. But you get better. You practice and practice and finally master it. I learn so much about him and myself while riding waves. It is a great time for just thinking without anybody there. After all, surfing isn’t a team sport. You do it alone and teach yourself. The ocean connects with me and I lose myself in a carefree life.

Soccer matters to me. Ever since I was a little 5 year old on a team with my best friends, just running randomly just because it made us happy was all that mattered. Having my dad be the coach along with two other dads seemed like a fantasy at the time. As the years progressed, our team consisted of the same people every season. We grew up together and bonded even if we lost a game and left the field crying, we loved each other. As we got into about 3rd grade, we actually started trying to play soccer. We started winning every game and even got a mascot; a 4 foot tall stuffed husky. My soccer team became my other family. We stuck together for 7 years and every player still has a part in my life showing how I got to where I am at in soccer today.

My family matters to me. After all, they kind of have to love me through everything. But they don’t make it feel like it. They are the most important thing in my life and I love them to death. They also support me in anything I do, whether it is being my number one fan at a soccer game or pushing me to get good grades at school. They care for me and I care for them back. I am so close with them, sometimes I would rather be with them than any friends at all. Surprising, right? They believe in me, love me, and would do anything for me as I would for them. They teach me too. They teach me to be independent and other life lessons. I will carry these on for the rest of my life. My family is amazing. They mean the world to me and are one of the most important things in my life.