Procrastination

Procrastination is the thief of time-Edward Young

Time is precious, many take it for granted and don’t use it well. A lot of people procrastinate. I used to procrastinate all the time but I soon learned how much of a waste of time it really is. Ever since I stopped procrastinating and wasting time for no reason but to put of work, I have been less stressed, more successful in school, and happier. I get my homework do right away and the next night I have less and I have time to watch sports. My weekends are more free, so I can do what I want and everything is better. Procrastinating is a habit that people get into and it’s hard to break, however, once that habit is broken everything ends up being much happier and less stressful. Some people can get by with procrastination but the people who can’t have to be mature and know themselves well enough to to break the habit. I feel bad for those people who get caught in a cycle of procrastination because I can relate and I know how hard it is. It’s also fun to be the only one of my friends to be done with a project or an assignment because I kind of enjoy watching others scramble for help at the last minute, even though I do feel a little bad and I try to help as much as I can, I can’t lie about how I honestly enjoy it sometimes. Getting work done is important, and being organized and efficient are keys for success which is the ultimate goal.  Procrastination is like an addiction, people know they shouldn’t continue doing it but they can’t help it.

Giving Thanks

When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself. - Tecumseh

Doctors have arguably the most important jobs in the world, but there aren’t always enough doctors for everyone. My doctor is named Dr. Misra, and without her, I could have serious health problems. I have a genetic disorder called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 (MEN1 for short). MEN1 gives those affected by it tumors on the pituitary gland, pancreas and parathyroids. Most of these tumors are benign, but some can be harmful. For example: my Mom had much of her pancreas removed and my Sister had most of her parathyroids removed because they had a tumor on them producing too much calcium which can potentially cause kidney stones. I will most likely have to get both of the procedures done as well. Dr. Misra is an endocrinologist, she runs tests on us like MRI's, blood tests and urine samples. These are normally a huge hassle because my siblings and I have to wake up really early to go into Boston for all different types of check-ups and tests, but I know how important it is to keep the doctors up to date on our condition. Without these essential visits the MEN1 could be life threatening. She also told us that there is a fifty percent chance that it gets passed on to our children so it was pretty unlucky that all three of us got it when only my Mom has it. Although this disorder is extremely rare I can’t imagine what it would be like if someone didn’t have good health insurance and couldn’t treat it. I’m extremely thankful that my Dad works so hard and long every day so that we afford such great health insurance. I’m extremely lucky to have parents who are so knowledgable and hardworking. With so many people who care and look out for me this disease can be just a few surgeries and a lot of visits to the Doctor, and I am so thankful that I have those people in my life. 

Power of Hardship

Injuries give you perspective. They teach you to cherish the moments that I might have taken for granted before. -Ali Krieger

Many people have dreams and passions, however most people find their real passions when they are forced to open up there minds to new possibilities. When I was smaller, I always though that I would be some sort of professional athelete. I have had many injuries which have taken sports away for short periods of time and it has been hard for me to find other things, but most of these setbacks haven’t been serious. Each time I’ve been able to focus on school and other things more than usual. At the beginning of my summer after fourth grade I started feeling a little bit of back pain. At first I thought nothing of it, it took until October for me to realize it’s severity. I would come home crying because I couldn’t walk with a searing pain in my lower back. I got an MRI and prepared for the worst. I can still remember the devastation I felt when the doctor told me that I had a double stress fracture in my lowest vertebrae. I still remember not being able to wear the back brace for more than fifteen minutes because I couldn’t breath, they wanted me to wear it for four months, no sports for six weeks was like an eternity for me as an energetic fifth grader, just sitting and watching the football and soccer games from the sidelines longing to play. I began to find new hobbies, I discovered how much I loved listening to music and would sing on the couch for hours. I discovered a new passion for writing and it soon became my favorite subject in school. The whole injury was a disaster but I ended up learning a lot about myself which has made me a better and more well rounded person today. Without that injury I wouldn’t be as happy in school, it was definitely not a positive experience but I’m glad I was able to come out of it with some positive takeaways  

A Home Away From Home

There's the right way, the wrong way, and there's the Keewaydin way- someone who went to Keewaydin 

Many People love things that others can’t understand. I spend my summers paddling across massive likes and doing hard work, and I love it. It's more than just paddling and working though, it’s way of life away from civilization and technology. Everything I eat, everywhere I sleep and every where I go is completely determined by my own work. I make my own food, pitch my own tent and steer my own boat. It’s all man powered. This year we paddled around the serene Canadian lakes for 40 days until the day for paddle-in finally came. Paddle-in is a day where every section that has been out on trips the whole summer comes back to the base camp where all of the cabins and platform tents are. It’s a highlight of the summer for everyone, all the campers paddle with fresh clean clothes and many parents are waiting at the dock. For many this is the first time they have seen their parents in almost six weeks. The feeling of accomplishment on this day is incredible.  After almost all of the sections paddle in, there is just one left, Section A, a group of seventeen and eighteen year olds who canoe all the way to Hudson Bay, a trip that matches the distance between New Orleans and New York, all in a canoe. As they paddled across the clear lake everyone was dead silent, when they pulled up the silence stayed, when they had unloaded all of their food and clothes from the canvas canoe the crowd of nearly three-hundred erupts and passionate hugs and tears ensued. It was truly an incredible moment. Keewaydin is second home for me, a hiatus from civilization, full of satisfaction and hard work. Some may frown upon it, but for me there is no place I would rather spend my summers