Car Accident

For one of the many applications my mother forced me to fill out for internships and such, the essay question was, "Describe fully an experience or event that has had a significant impact on your life and how you changed as a result."

I thought I would put my response here, with some modifications, since it describes my experience well. I've had many people ask what happened over the past 11 years, and I feel I should explain properly, not just for others, but also for myself.

It was a very hot August 1st, in 2002. My mother and I were driving back from my summer camp early since I had an appointment. On our way there, we found out that the exits we would normally take were being blocked off. Possibly due to some construction or accident. Because of this, my mom had to take a new exit we weren't familiar with, and we came to a 3-way stop sign. I'm still not sure as to who didn't stop or who should have stopped, but we ended up colliding with a school bus. My memories of that moment are far from pretty, and I have quite a few. 

We both pulled through, but not without scars. Hers were internal, permanently impacting her vision. Mine were external, permanently marking my face. I was seven years old.

I don't really think the event actually hit me until later. Car accidents are one of those things you see happen to others, and you always assumed that it would never happen to you.

When I first got home after the accident, I was too afraid of my own reflection, with the new and scary distortions. My dad covered up my mirror, so I wouldn’t have to look at it. Everyone I met would be curious and bombard me with the same question: "What happened to your face?" It would aggravate me because I just wanted to forget. But as a kid, I bounced back after some time and took joy in the fact that I was the only kid in school allowed to wear a hat during the day, to protect my face from the sun.

Immediately after the accident, my parents and I went to many plastic surgeons, asking about ways to reduce or fade the scar. But the procedures they mentioned involved reopening the wounds and stitching them back together more neatly. My parents and I weren’t comfortable, so we left it alone.

As time went on and I became a teenager when appearance is everything, my self-esteem dropped and I would subconsciously be stressed about my face, and how it was no longer symmetrical. What would people think? Did I even look pretty? Was my scar the reason boys didn't like me? 

After some time, the scar faded to a point where I stopped noticing it. Occasionally, I would get an inquiry about my face, but it wouldn't bother me. I began to accept my scar as a part of me, and I slowly moved on.

A few years ago, my parents brought up the topic of fading my scar again, asking if I wanted to look into that process more seriously. I didn’t even need to think about it. The scars I’ve received show that I have overcome something and moved on. One quote that I love is “Never be ashamed of a scar. It simply means you were stronger than whatever tried to hurt you.” It's taken me a while to believe it, but I now know. I am stronger.

What I Wish

When I was a kid, Santa Claus was a jolly old man who generously gave gifts to everyone for free and the Tooth Fairy was a magical woman who happily gave money in exchange for teeth. It sounded strange then too, but when you're getting presents and money, you don't ask questions. But now, Santa Claus is a fat, but surprisingly fit, stalker, who "sees you when you're sleeping," and the Tooth Fairy is really your parents, who now expect you to pay them back.

I used to think about that time a lot, just because being at that age everything was so simple. No future to worry about. You were happily oblivious to everything. You were forgiven easily.

More recently, especially in the past two years, everything seemed to have become harder in contrast. This was the time to decide where you want to go in life, and how you can make it there without breaking your parents' wallets. Sometimes it's hard to get out of bed, because I already had an idea of how the day will go. And sometimes, it's hard to go to sleep, because I knew that I hadn't achieved the goals that I had set for that day. I felt frustrated, and a little pressured.

To the point where I wanted a wish. One wish to be a kid again. 

Obviously, this could not happen, since my life isn't as interesting as Aladdin's. But if my wish was granted, by some sassy blue genie, with the voice of Robin Williams (because let's be honest, he's the best genie), would I be happy with the results?

I probably would have said yes last year. I could go back in time, be a little kid. Not stress about my future, and do easy math homework again! Hakuna Matata; no worries.

But, no. That part of my life is over, and it's time to move on. With these last few weeks of senior year coming up, and everyone getting prepared for college, I've come to accept it. Although I'm not a full-blown adult yet (still have yet to do my own laundry, and don't even get me started on cooking!), I'm on my way, excited and ready.

Barack Obama=Change?

The whole world saw Barack Obama become the 44th President of the United States of America. Everyone was exhilarated and excited when January 20, 2009 finally came. Except for me. Don't get me wrong, I am more than happy that the U.S.A is no longer represented by George W. Bush and the Democrats are back in power (YAY!).  I know that it was an extremely important moment in history. My mother thinks I am crazy. She doesn't seem to understand why I don't have any enthusiasm. She specifically said," This is a very important moment in history and you don't even seem interested! What is wrong with you?" She also said," You will be able to tell your children and grandchildren that you were alive when the first African- American president was elected! This is historic! The U.S.A will finally see change!" The reason why I am not that interested is because I am a kid! I can't be expected to show enthusiasm and excitement for politics when I am a teen. It just seems so dull and boring. 

I sincerely hope that our country will see change. Maybe not in the next few weeks as I expected, but hopefully in the next few years. We should have all the troops that are fighting in Iraq to come back home because no one wants this war! At least, I don't want this war. And, the stock market should rise up again. And global warming should be stopped. There are so many problems that this country has and I hope that Barack Obama, the man that everyone has put their trust and hope in, will help our country. What our country and the world needs right now is world peace. Whenever I get an eyelash, I always wish for something that will benefit me, but that will change. Now I will wish for world peace and I hope it works (I think it will work because when I wished for an Ipod it worked. It took about two years, but it happened). So now we just have to wait and see how soon my wish and the country's hope will come true.