Personal Narrative : My California Trip

I don't remember how I met you in 1st grade, but I do remember when you used to be taller than me and had braces. I remember asking you what a period (menstrual) was, and the days when we talked about relationships—I mean we still do, haha. I remember going to the Sacramento field trip with you in 4th grade, when we carpooled to the airport at five in the morning and how you were there when I experienced my first time on a plane. I remember seeing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows together and then getting In-N-Out afterwards. I remember when we both did Beginner and Advanced Strings in 5th grade. I remember having the same cabin as you at 6th grade camp. Going to the Big Bear trip with Ben, Bob and Josh last year and being there when I

Ever since I was seven years old playing t-ball I dreamed of playing high school softball. Every year I waited not so patiently for the season to start. My junior year in high school I was the second basemen for my school softball team. That year my team and I were more determined than ever to get our team to the state finals. Before the state tournament we had to win conference, sectionals, and super sectionals. My junior year my team and I had our hearts set on being the first team in Somonauk history to ever win to the state championship.

Softball isn’t all smiles and winning. Sometimes things could almost get sweet. For instance, we were the first team to ever beat Gladstone. I remember it was the second game of the season and we were playing at the dome. I remember Zeke punching the air, “Hell yeah! That’s what I want to see!” and telling us we didn’t have to clean up the equipment because we had won. We went home on a high, so incredibly proud to be on that team.

I'm an established freelance writer based in San Diego covering environmental issues in the Southland and beyond. Although it's hard for me to

Growing up in Southern California, I was surrounded by coastal culture, which has influenced me in many ways. No matter whether I lived in San Diego or Ventura county, I was never more than ten minutes away from the beach. Every weekend, it seemed, my dad would take us to the beach as family so we could play in the water, build sandcastles, catch hermit crabs, see the tide pools, and most of all, spend time together. I was enchanted by all the beach had to offer. Every sandcastle built was a palace for a hermit crab and every tide pool a thriving community. Whenever I stepped into the water, my imagination would run wild. Despite how often we went, I always enjoyed our days at the beach.

It was mid-winter of 1848, I was doing my daily chores when my neighbor brought news that two days earlier, on January 24, James W. Marshall made a discovery of gold on his piece of land in California. At first, I didn’t think that this would affect me in any way, but then I realized I could start a new life in California filled with gold and fortune, away from my small farm in Missouri. I decided to pack up my things and start on my long journey to California, I packed enough food, water, and supplies to last me a few months. The next morning I was surprised to see that not many others from my town were seeking gold, I knew it was unsafe for me to travel alone, but I was sure I’d meet others along the way.

When I was in the 12th grade I got the opportunity of a life time to go all the way to San Diego California with my FCCLA student organization. Coming all the way from hot a humid city filled Atlanta Ga, to beautiful sunny, beach covered California sounded like a dream.

It was a baseball game day in the heat of July. I can remember warming up on the field for about five minutes and I was already sweating like a dog, I was drenched from head to toe full of sweat. During warm ups all I could think about was drink cold water and just jumping into the lake to cool off after the game. Little did I know that this scorching summer day was going to spark my baseball career for the rest of the season and for the rest of my life. Before every baseball game my dad would either text my mom or call me and would always ask me to hit a homerun for him, and everytime I would tell him I will try my best.

Throughout my short life in Southern California, I have encountered a multitude of different natural disasters, strange weather patterns and a shift in climate. There have been three distinct phases of my life in which the occurrence of all of these can be found.

One day we meet our cousins from Colombia off of Facebook. My mom was so excited when we found them because they have known each other since they were young. We started talking for a a few months and finally my mom asked them if they wanted to come to the USA and visit us. My mom said she wanted to meet up in Florida, so we started to plan. I was very nervous when she said we were going to Florida, I didn't want to speak Spanish to them because I was afraid they will make fun of me (really not that fluent in Spanish). After we were done planing our vacation a months later we were ready to go to Florida. When we left for Florida we dropped off my dog (Simba) at my friends and said our goodbyes to Gurnee. The road trip took hours to complete and it was treacherous, but worth it.

Growing up, I did not realize that getting a job was going to be so difficult. It may be different in other towns. I grew up in California and was excited to be older and be productive. California gave you that worthwhile rush that encouraged you to get up and go on an adventure. Then my family and I moved to a college town in a different state, 7 years ago, where it’s less noisy. It was certainly a different environment and personally, I love it.

Hot summer day in southern California I was born at 1:17p.m. on August 13, 1996 in San Diego. My father was a marine and my mom was a stay at home mom like most of the wife’s of marines. I have three older sisters and one older brother and two younger brothers my older siblings are my half-sisters and brother. My two younger brothers both have a disability Carlos (Ricky) was born in Patterson, New Jersey he was immediately rushed into surgery because he has a heart condition when they had to cut him open and preform open heart surgery. My other little brother Gabriel Jr (Gabe) was diagnosed with autism when he was two or three he still has yet to talk to this day. My little brothers are a big part of my life I love them so much. If I lost one

Imagine laying on a private beach right now in California. You’re sitting in a comfortable lawn chair with a front-row seat to the Pacific Ocean. You have waiters bringing you any kind of drink or food you want, and the sun is making you golden tan. Now, imagine the thrill you get while being on a roller coaster. The sun is beating down on you while you’re standing in line, but the wait for the exhilarating roller coaster is worth it. I got to experience all of this and more on my trip to Los Angeles, California. I went on this trip the week of my birthday, which is July 31, with my parents and my two sisters. My second trip to California was an unforgettable experience that was important due to all of the locations I got to visit, all of the knowledge I now have from this trip, and all of the memories I made with my family.

    On one very boring summer's day, my brothers and I were watching television, and we were going to do anything fun all summer. My parents came home later, and  my dad told us to pack our clothes and swimsuits and hop in the car. “ We are going to California”! My dad said joyfully.

Trying to find memories is like looking for treasure. You look at the surface and see something mediocre, but you dig deep and find something cool, pretty, and meaningful. It took a while to think of a fond memory, but once I thought of some, it was hard to choose a favorite. Growing up I have had many great experiences in the form of vacations. Between going to Disney World, owning a vacation home, hanging out with my grandparents in Arizona, traveling to Canada and more. They all make amazing memories that I will forever cherish. The vacation spot we go to the most, though, is Wisconsin Dells. A few times I have been allowed to invite friends to come with. When I am allowed to bring friends, it is always a ginormous amount of fun. We goof off in the hotel room, play in the arcades, and swim in the water parks.