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Spraining My Arm in the Dumbest Way Possible
It was a scorching day at Dutchess Stadium as sweat poured down my taekwondo uniform. For some reason, I was very interested in doing a cartwheel. All of my friends could do it, so at 9 years old I wanted to be cool too. I flipped over as I saw them do, but landed flat on my left arm. Immediately it didn't feel right as it swelled up like a balloon. I was so depressed and embarrassed not only because it hurt like hell, but to have done that in front of everyone was as we call it today, an "L". -
Winning the Championship in Little League
Our backs were against the wall. Down by one, runners on second and third base with two outs. My heart was in my stomach as I stood in the box. Off the bat I knew it was a grounder, but I had a chance of reaching base safely. I prayed as a sprinted down the line, and all of a sudden the ball flew over the first baseman's head. I ran into second base feeling so relieved, knowing at that moment we were going to win. Two runs and one inning later, we did just that, capping off a remarkable season. -
Receiving my 2nd Degree Black Belt
I don't think I was ever more nervous doing something in my entire life, even if I was 11. All that stood between me and my 2nd Degree Black Belt in taekwondo were two cinder blocks that I needed to break with my palm. I counted in my head as I practiced: "One...two...THREE!" And on the third count I drove my palm through both bricks and jumped into the arms of my instructor. Afterwards when I saw my family, I bursted into tears, letting my bottled-up emotion flow onto the sleeve of my mom. -
My Brother Farted on the Ice Cream
Yes, you read that correctly. It had been a fantastic day at Disney's Blizzard Beach. After my family ordered a giant sand bucket of ice cream containing literally any topping you could imagine, my brother stood up on the table, turned around, and farted on top of what once was a delicious treat ready to be devoured. I'll never forget how hard I laughed at the sight of it as I could tell it was coming. It was one of those laughs where you can't breathe for a solid 2 minutes, but in a good way. -
Breaking My Eye
Practice was over, so our team had to pick up the baseballs left astray around the batting cage. I stood next to the bucket, snatching up balls as they rolled to my feet. Out of nowhere, a ball came flying directly into my eye, spinning me onto the ground in a heap. I remember just screaming like a banshee until I blacked out for 10 minutes. For about a week straight, it hurt to open my right eye with light present, but worse, I missed my team's one playoff game that we lost 4-0. -
When My Dad had a Knee Replacement
My dad has had knee issues for pretty much his entire life. It started in 2000, when he had a benign tumor removed and continued into 2004, when part of his hip was involved in surgery. Now, after a lot of planning, he was getting a full knee replacement. I didn't know when I would see him again, plus I'm paranoid as it is, so I feared the absolute worst while in school. It made me realize how much I missed his presence after work or on weekends. At least for that week, things didn't feel right. -
Miraculously Getting Home
Our car was stuck in a ditch of snow, which my mom couldn't get us out of...until my dad, who recently had a knee replacement, stepped up. With one leg, he drove us out of the ditch and through the snow up the mountains of Kent. Things were actually going well until BAMMM- we slid side first into the guard rail, thinking the car was dented. After clearing the snow, we were shocked to know the car took ZERO damage. I don't know what surprised me more, my dad driving or that the car was untouched. -
My First Homerun
It was the middle of the summer baseball season when we played Bedford, and I was going through a tough slump for my team, the Brewster Bombers. I was up, and I knew I wanted to just hit a good pitch really hard, as I focused harder than ever on each pitch. On a 3-1 count, I saw a giant meatball stroll down the plate, and while I recall closing my eyes as I threw my arms to the ball, I'll never forget the "Oohhs and Aahs" from my teammates as I marched towards home with an enormous smile. -
The Night I Will Never Forget: Jeter's Final Game
I was lucky enough to have tickets to Jeter's final game. I remember seeing his name pop up on the screen for "Due-Up" for the last inning, and with the game tied, a hit from Jeter would win the game. I pulled out my phone, knowing this could be history. I remember my brother asking how many outs there were, and before I could answer, Jeter did it, and I went insane. From there, him tipping his cap, giving a speech, and reuniting with other Yankee legends made the night one I won't soon forget. -
My Dad Almost Got Into a Fight
While we were walking to the train after the Yankee game, some young drunk guy began to walk close to my mom, staring at her creepily to which my dad took notice. The drunk guy landed the first verbal blow by calling my dad "fugly", but before my dad could get up in his face the two were broken apart, leaving me terrified. I had no interest in fighting that night, but I couldn't just leave him there on his own, which my dad told me afterwards. I still get chills thinking about this night.
