Hello. This is my memoir. It has been posted last minute, sorry about that. I worked hard on it and if you want me to improve it, please feel free to comment. Here it is Enjoy!
Being an athlete is Part of Who I am
By Ale Turner, 5KP
Sports have been a part of my life just like food and water. Since I was little, I have been active doing sports, outdoor activities and exercises. Sports are significant to me not only because I like winning and being the leader, but also because it is good for you and I really enjoy doing it.
I have been doing sports for most of my life. I started my physical education by dancing ballet as well as doing swimming when I was very, very young. I was three years old, just like Mimi (Mrs. Power’s daughter)
I remember this time when I went to one of my earliest swimming lessons. It was a hot sunny day and I was very young. As I approached the pool, I started to feel the ‘butterflies’ in my stomach and eventually burst into tears. My mom softly murmured to my ear: “Ale, you’ll be just fine. The teacher is very nice and you’ll have fun, I promise”. I trusted my mom but still doubted it. I got in the pool and waited on the steps for the teacher to come towards me. The teacher introduced herself and then questioned me what my name was. I replied saying: “Um… My name is Ale”. We got started and I had a bit of fun. I was still nervous but a little bit less than at the beginning of the class. The teacher WAS nice and I learned a few basic things. The end of the lesson came and as I climbed up the steps, the teacher said good-bye. “You did a very good job today Ale! I hope you had fun, Bye!”
I then looked back and said nervously: “Bye!” When we got into the car I felt relieved. The class was fun, but I still had a weird feeling inside me.
The crying and kicking ‘process’ continued for about two more classes and then I got used to getting in the water and learning new things.
That was one of my many memories of learning sports. I have kept up with sports lessons since then. I have learned swimming, tennis, golf, dance, and I even had biking lessons to improve my biking during the days I was learning.
Every athlete is different. They might play the same sport or like the same food, but they can still be different. Some athletes are competitive, some are participant, some just like to learn, and some do sports just to be healthy and fit. I’m not only one type of athlete I am more than one. I am mostly participant but I can sometimes be competitive.
We had a great experience when we participated in a family race back in 2007. There’s a place in Mexico that organizes an annual family race every February. We had the chance to participate in one of those and we had a lot of fun. There was different age categories and also different distance categories; 1km, 3km, 5km, and 10km. My sisters participated on the 1km race, and my dad and me ran on the 3km one, while my mom did the 5km race. Something really unexpected happened. I ran with my dad and I just thought I was going to be the last one to get there. But with my dad’s help, we made it to second place!!! It was really fun, and exiting, but at the same time it was tiring. Everyone got a participation medal and I got a trophy as well as the people that scored first place and third place. After the race, there was an Al-Fresco brunch and the prize-giving event. It was a very nice experience I will never forget.
In that short narrative, there’s a small reflection of what type of athlete I am. I was participative by being part of the event. I was competitive by running fast and scoring second place.
Athletes have advantages and disadvantages too. The advantages are that when you practice and play a sport, you gain more independence; you practice teamwork in sports like swimming relays, basketball, soccer, and even tennis (in doubles). Sports can help you socially and academically. They build your self-esteem, and make you proud of yourself. They even improve your math skills! There are only a few disadvantages of practicing a sport: You can get injuries and if you are in a competitive team, you can lose and people can make fun of you. But I think if you are more cautious by wearing the equipment needed and playing safe, for example: wearing the right shoes and wearing a helmet. Then, there’s less risk of getting injured.
I am very fortunate to have the chance to attend this school where they care about your physical activity and give you the opportunity to choose a sport once you go to Middle School. And we are also privileged to have afternoon sports lessons where they can teach you a sport privately or with a group with kids of your age.
Again, Sports are very significant to me because I think it is very important to stay healthy and fit. Also because I have an excellent time when I have a chance to go outside or have a PE lesson.
“An expert at anything was once a beginner” – H. Jackson Brown Jr.
By Ale Turner, 5KP
June 2nd, 2010
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