“The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.”
– Frank Lloyd Wright
Seventeen chapters. Each one a world unto itself. Some chapters are beautiful and funny, others are low and unsatisfying. Some tell secrets, others shout truths. Good day, Hive friends! It's me again, 
“Seventeen chapters”. That's how long my story's been unfolding. Some pages are filled with laughter, others with tears. Some chapters are neatly bound, but others are still a bit messy.
Oh, where should I start? “I have come so far.” Thinking about my age today makes me say this phrase. It's been a long ride composed of dizzy, scary, funny, messy moments. Yes, I have come so far. If I had to enumerate my life from the start, it would have taken longer. So basically, I would just share with you the times that shaped me into the person I am today.
Get to Know My Past
I included this photo in my intro blog
This was the time when all I did was sleep, eat, play, and watch Disney movies. I loved those movies! Sleeping was easy then, and the food was always yummy. Playing was the best part, though. I played with my toys, ran around outside, and pretended to be all sorts of things. My imagination was wild!
An old photo of our family. I miss my Lola (grandmother) 😔
The best part of my days, though, was bonding with my parents. We'd read books, and watch TV together, and they always made me feel safe and loved. It reminds me of a time when things were simple, and I didn't have to worry about anything. It was a carefree time, filled with love and fun. It's a nice feeling, looking back on those days. I wish I could go back, even just for a little while.
My uncle's wedding
I enjoyed it a lot during these days. It was a nice feeling though.
During the recognition while receiving my honor certificate and award
I remember this time clearly because it was the time I loved recess the most. I could run and play with my friends without a care in the world. The other thing I remember about this time is that I was always hungry! So, I would often go to my mom's classroom during break times to ask for a snack.
My parents all photos
She was a teacher at the same school, which was super convenient. She always had something for me – an apple, a fudge bar, and sometimes even a bingo biscuit. It was nice having her so close. It felt safe and good to just pop into her room and see her.
Another school year, another award
Looking back, that whole time feels really happy. Getting honor certificates was great, but it was the combination of that, the fun of recess, and the comfort of my mom and dad always having a snack ready for me and my siblings (because we're on the same school) that makes it such a good memory. It was a simple time, but a really good one.
Elementary school graduation. It should have been a joyous celebration marking a significant milestone. In my mind, it was the most anticipated chapter of my life up to that point – a grand finale I'd pictured countless times. I pictured myself walking across the stage, getting my diploma, and seeing my family in the audience. It was going to be a big day, a special day.
Then, the pandemic happened. Everything changed. Schools closed, and my graduation ceremony was canceled. It was really disappointing. I felt sad and frustrated. It wasn't fair that I didn't get to have the graduation I'd dreamed of. It felt like I missed out on something important, something that everyone else got to do. It was a big part of growing up that I didn't get to have. It's still a little sad to think about.
School was really different during the pandemic. We had modular classes, which was a big change. It was hard to focus sometimes, being at home all the time. It wasn't the same as being in a classroom with my classmates. But I tried to do my best in my studies. Our father made a little study area for us, and me and my siblings tried to stick to a schedule.
When I was a kid I thought I look good on filters haha
The good thing was that I got to spend a lot more time with my family. We played different kind games, watched movies, and others. That was really nice. It helped make the whole situation feel a little less scary.
It wasn't all perfect, of course. There were times when I felt lonely or bored. There were days when I just didn't want to do schoolwork. And it was definitely sad that we couldn't see our classmates or do the things we used to do. But we learned to adapt. We found ways to have fun, even while staying home. We plant together, exercise every morning, and even had family game nights.
Looking back, the pandemic was a hard time, but it also showed me how important my family is and how strong we are as a team. It taught me that even when things are tough, you can still find ways to be happy and to make the best of it. And it taught me that life isn't always predictable, but that’s okay. You just have to keep going.
My hobby since grade 9
Moving Forward....
Tenth grade was a really busy and fun year for me. I got back into doing contests, which I really enjoyed. I entered all sorts of things – writing contests, essay competitions, even an extemporaneous speech contest where you had to give a speech with little or no preparation (I have mentioned this from my other blog) . I even surprised myself by joining a hip-hop class contest – I’m not a great dancer, but it was a fun challenge.
I also did a lot in school. I volunteered to give presentations in class, which I usually liked doing.
I really enjoyed being active and involved. I worked hard in my classes because I wanted to do well and get good grades. I wasn't just a student; I was a participant, a competitor, a performer. I embraced every opportunity to learn, grow, and express myself, and I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything. It was a really busy year, but it was also a really fun and rewarding one. I learned a lot about myself and what I'm capable of. It was a great experience, and I'm glad I did all those things. Looking back, it was a really good year.
But then...
... my life took an unexpected turn. During this school year, my grade 11 year, I faced unexpected challenges as I began experiencing severe headaches and migraines, alongside a flare-up of eczema. These health issues made it difficult to engage in the activities I once loved, such as competitions and being part of teams and clubs. Although I managed to maintain good grades, it didn't bring the same sense of fulfillment as my previous successes. Despite the difficulties, I found solace in writing and singing, which helped me relax and express myself. This tough year taught me valuable lessons about resilience and finding joy in smaller things.
A CHEER TO MYSELF
Life is good, but sometimes we don't realize it until things get hard. It's only when we have problems that we really appreciate the good things. I learned that the hard way. After I was going through a tough time, I started to notice and appreciate the little things more – like having a comfortable place to sleep or spending time with friends. These things were always there, but I didn't notice them as much until I had problems.
Life has lots of good things and also hard things. It's a mix of both. We don't have to wait for bad things to happen to appreciate the good things. We can choose to see the good things every day.
Problems are going to happen, that's for sure. But we don't have to give up. When things get tough, it helps to remember how far we've already come. That can give us the strength to keep going.
Just say “I have come so far.”
“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
– Abraham Lincoln
