Art Reveals

December 05, 2008

The students’ eyes follow the written words. Glazed over, the eyes scan from left to right. Functioning like machines the students dish out continuous work. Page after page they keep consuming the endless information. Their brains thicken as knowledge seeps in through their ears. They learn all the facts that exist throughout the world and yet they have no way to express their deepest emotions. These students regurgitate the statements, theories, and formulas that they have learned while remaining distant from the words that the heart wishes to convey. Their brains gain complete control and their hearts weaken. Each beat the heart takes looses meaning as its existence remains useless. Art provides an alternative for individuals stuck in circumstances similar to this. Creating art uses different muscles in the brain, allows the artist to express ideas and emotions, and encourages the artist to find their voice. With all the positive influences that creating art provides, a person has no reason to deny themselves the right to make a master pieces.

The left lobe in the brain uses logical thinking. The left brain functions include understands facts and order. The many subjects that schools demand require left brain thinking. Words, language, math, and science all rest in the left lobe. This means that school demands more participation from this area in the brain. In order to become balanced one must ask for participation from the right lobe as well. Here they will comprehend symbols and images. Facts hold less value in the right lobe where the imagination rules. When an individual can understand the facts in the left brain and the emotions in the right then they will accomplish great things. Similar to political views, balanced individuals have the level head. One sided thinkers risk falling into a bad leaders control. Hitler increased his followers by speaking to people who shared similar views and stretching the ideas to an extreme. A well balanced individual will never fall into this trap. Rather than only accepting one side, these individuals will understand the reasoning that both sides have to offer. Seeing both sides’ presents a reasonable conclusion. These level headed thinkers will influence the world in a positive way. Balancing the brain will balance a human’s thinking. With this balance, the artist avoids persuasion in a negative way.

With art an individual can portray the ideas they value and the emotions they feel. Similar to a literary novel, one can spread their thoughts with art. Art, however, reaches one step further than words allow. Picasso's Guernica highlights the values that art encompasses. In the Spanish attack that Picasso painted, great pain and suffering prevailed over the public. The blacks, whites, and grays display sorrow to the viewer. Each face within the paintings boarder reaches out to the audience and captures their attention. Words cannot match the tremendous suffering that the painting makes public. People excuse themselves from art claiming that they do not have the talent it takes to create great things like Picasso’s work. These claims justify laziness and fear. If every man gave up their dreams after the first attempt then the world would not experience such great history. Picasso's Guernica would not rest on museum walls. Leonardo's sketches would not have come to life. Buddha's ideas would not exist today. Running from art denies the world great possibilities. If a person can overcome the laziness by practicing then they will come to enjoy the art world. If a person can overcome the fear by setting aside their ego and expressing their deepest thoughts then they will release the emotions within. Expressing emotions through art brings only good results to the artist.

Seeing as art allows people to express their ideas and emotions, art will also help people find their voice. Human beings do not know themselves because they refuse to think their own thoughts. Humans have qualities that save them from exclusion. This means that people try to fit into the ideals that society considers acceptable. Art does not allow a person to avoid their true thoughts. Each stroke the brush makes or line the pen draws comes from the heart. These materials will not judge the artist or criticize his or her thoughts. The artist can express his or her thoughts on the most personal level. Setting fear aside the artist can find the ideals they value and the thoughts that society does not encourage. After finding the voice hidden within, the artist can strengthen the confidence in that voice. Each art piece will help reach for the confidence needed to make that voice heard. Shoulders back and chin in the air, the emotional man can relieve his feelings. While society expects the man to remain strong and to never express his emotions in public, art provides an alternative answer. Art provides a tool to reach into the heart and pull out the true thoughts that lie within.

Many choose to refuse expression through art. These individuals miss out on the great things that creativity makes possible. To access these possibilities humans must attempt creating art. Through painting the one-sided thinker sees the world from a different side. Through drawing a person’s emotions and ideas can come to life. Through sculpting the man can find his hidden voice. No man who wishes to reach these goals can disagree with the value art provides. Society expects the population to learn by the schools standards. These standards focus on important areas like math, science, and language. If the educational system values these areas they must also emphasize art. Creating art leads to different thinking that benefits a person’s characteristics. These well balanced, emotional, and strong voiced artists will benefit their own situation as well as the world.

Painful Repercussions

November 14, 2008

The actual accident only took seconds. The horse flipped his butt and the rider flew like she had wings. After the last buck, her legs let go and her life rested in God's hands. With spectators staring, eyes wide open, the rider hit the ground. The silence brakes when her body first hits the solid earth. After the initial thud, her body continues to bounce like a rag doll. Her momentum halts after slamming into the barbwire fence and she begins to organize her thoughts. Her mind replays the previous thirty minutes that brought her to her current painful situation. After picking up the events that lead to her present state, she realized that she should have seen it coming. The crisp day, the pressure put on the horse, and the limited riding that took place in the past month all contributed to the horse's decision to send her flying. The stupefied glare on her face shows the world that she now understands why she has been placed in such a painful predicament.

Horses are predisposed to certain attitudes that accompany different weather. Similar to humans, when a horse experiences hot sunny weather, they lack energy. The heat keeps them quiet as they try to conserve energy. Likewise, in cold weather a horse feels excited and rebellious. In most cases, a rider appreciates this energy boost that cold weather creates. Many times, when the sun shines, equestrians find themselves pushing their horse just to create enough energy to maintain any movement. Today, however, offered endless energy from the horse that would encourage a great ride. Painful shivers ran down the riders back as she tacked up the horse with good intensions. Little did she know that the horse did not have such an optimistic mind set. The horse hides his emotions well until the gate cracks open. Within a second's time, the horse reared and bucked through the gate and into the riding area. The quiet barn turned into a full out rodeo as the rider struggled to gain back control. She leapt into the air and managed to snag a line attached to the horse. After she realized that she had made a poor choose, she lunged forward standing no chance against the horse's power. The crisp air shot at the horse's feet forcing him to dance in every direction. The rider slides around each corner within the rectangular pen. Minutes passed until she could create any control over the equine. Trying to use the excessive energy, the rider put the horse to work.

Against better judgment, the equestrian decided to test the horses will. She knew that the next moments would bring complete accomplishment or concrete failure. The horse pranced in place while the rider through her leg over his back. Under such circumstances the horse could not retain any respect for his leader. The rider tried to pressure her equine into perfection but soon realized that perfection remained unrealistic. This reality check had no affect over the rider's determination. Her poking legs demanded that the horse listen to her superiority. Each movement, confined by the box that the rider kept around her horse's body, lunged in every direction trying to escape. She hoped that the box would save her from any dangers that might come about. The box soon broke and she went flying out the top. As she flew through the air she put her thoughts together trying to comprehend what just happened. She did not reach any conclusion until after hitting the ground and receiving the punishment for pushing her horse too far. She now sees the unfairness in her expectations. One inch at a time, the limp body readjusts itself to an enlightened posture. She gazes back into the equines eyes and sends her apologies. As if he understands, the horse lowers his head to show respect to his companion. This submission came a little too late to save the equestrians throbbing hip that still feels the intense pain from the fall.

She raises her hand and touches the beast that just transformed into a handsome prince. At this time her previous riding experiences present themselves to her. She reviews ever day within the past month and understands that the lack of practice contributed to the misfortunate fall. Her time management did not exist in the past few days and she did not get many chances to make it out to the barn. On the rare occasions that she could make it, her rides remained short and to the point. The horse had no time to improve on his performance or mood with the low caliber training. To improve on a hobby, one must practice as much as possible. This idea did not influence the ignorant equestrian who now must deal with the repercussions.

The blissful quiet air reentered the atmosphere. Time stops as the accident replays in both the rider's and horse's mind. The horse's sudden bolt through the gate knocks the equestrian to the ground. Running in circles, the horse tries to discourage the rider. Retaining power for only a short time, the rider jumps on the horse without much consideration. Continuous bucking throws the rider to the sky creating a dark outline around her profile. After a brief pause in the sky the rider tumbles back to earth. The loud thud shakes the world and a humbled rider results. The unfortunate consecutive events, that have now become history, cause the rider to feel the stupidity in her poor decisions. Had she stopped to think through the situation, she would not have experienced such painful repercussions. The cold air bites at her hip. The presser put on the horse brings pain to her shoulder. The reminder about how much riding she had done in the past month torments her aching head. She must experience all these repercussions for her mistake. Next time she will think twice before starting such a chain of events.

Desert Blood 10PM/9c

November 7, 2008

To whom it may concern,

Desert Blood 10PM/9c portrayed a great novel that captured the reader. Denied the ability to see the true, Gus peruses his life as a regular teenage boy. Nicholas Hernandez, Gus's adopted father, loves and cares for Gus as he would his own child. Misunderstood by the public, this relationship posses questions to Gus himself. Why would a famous actor adopt a young boy? Who keeps threatening Gus and Nick with horrifying notes? These questions and more create a well written fictional book that keep the reader intrigued. Desert Blood 10PM/9c by Ronald Cree has a well developed plot, realistic characters , and believable dialogue that keep the reader interested in finding out the truth about the mysteries that control Gus's life.

In the beginning the author remains distant and mysterious in portraying the story. Throughout the book, the reader develops questions about the unrevealing plot which sparks interest in the story. By the time the reader has read the first half they cannot put the book down. Becky Sanders, Nick's personal assistant and publicist, does not display any respect for Gus. She puts no effort in hiding her true feelings about Nick's decision to adopt Gus. She feels that his presents in Nick's life brings too much conflict that could destroy Nick's career. The tabloid prints ads accusing Nick for his so called romantic feelings towards Gus. Becky always reminds Nick that Gus only gives the public reason to criticize and question Nick. At one point in the story, Becky says that a guilty conscience should not cause one to adapt a child. When Gus hears this statement, questions arise in the readers mind about what has caused guilt in Nick. The reader continues reading hoping to find that answer to such a mysterious question. This answer is not given until the book's conclusion. Jack, the man who sent all the threatening letters, reveals the true in the last few chapters. Nicks guilty conscience resulted from the accident that took Gus's mothers life. While Gus believes that a man named John Brooks killed his mother, the truth lies in Nicks guilty conscience. Nick caused the death but fled from the crime and escaped punishment. The unresolved story pieces itself together and creates a perfect plot that no one would expect.

Before Cree started writing this book, he studied the characters that would control the story. Cree used a real person to create Gus as well as Nick. Gus’s character was based on a young orphaned child. He also adapted a young Mexican boy that inspired Gus’s character. With such a close look as how teenage boys act, Cree was able to portray a realistic character for his audience. They boy’s speech and personality matched what a real high school boy would sound like. Nicholas Hernandez was inspired by the famous actor, Nicholas Gonzalez. After speaking to Gonzalez and asking permission to use his character in the story, Cree managed to capture the true life of a celebrity. Through the process, Cree and Gonzalez became friends that could talk through situations in the book and portray what would happen in a realistic way. While many authors would fake this character, Cree got the inside view and spit it back out for the audience to see. This intense research allowed the story to contain realistic characters that the reader could comprehend.

Alone with a well developed plot and detailed characters, Cree also managed to create a believable dialogue. When two characters carried on a conversation, the reader could picture that conversation taking place right before their eyes. With such well developed characters, the dialogue flowed in a smooth manner that made it believable and easy to follow. In the last chapter, Nick and Gus talk with each other after Gus finds out that Nick killed his mother. The reader knows so much about each character that they are able to imagine the conversation taking place. “Sara is very worried about you. You promised to call her, remember? I hope you haven’t lost her number. Girls don’t like it when that happens.” Nick reminds Gus about his crush after covering all the important questions the Gus had in mind. By this point, the reader already knows that Nick understands women. This statement fits perfectly with Nicks overall personality. Gus then reminds Nick about his downfalls. “Don’t get excited. You still have a lot of things to learn about being a parent.” The reader understand Gus’s teenage attitude that always tries to defend itself making this statement flow with Gus‘s personality. The well written dialogue influences the reader to visualize the conversations.

Ronald Cree took his work to heart and created a masterpiece. He managed to create a well developed plot that captured the reader, realistic characters that portrayed the story, and a believable dialogue that created visual conversations. The plot that pieced itself together throughout the story involved the audience causing them to take interest in the events that took place. The well developed characters made the story believable as the reader understood and examined each personality. The believable dialogue made the story flow well through the unsolved mystery. Desert Blood 10PM/9c captivates the audience and forces them to continue reading until they reach the conclusion. Not until they reach the end and resolve the issues does the reader satisfy their thirst for the story.

Human Nature

October 10, 2008

Up to a point, evolution formed the people that roamed the island. Through that evolution they developed traditions and beliefs that defined their culture. This culture then met the people that traveled by sea. This arrival brought about conflict to the once peaceful people on the island. After the native beach people embraced the different culture, they realized that their own traditions and beliefs faced competition. The small community did not realize that their own culture began its path to distinction right after the sea people arrived. No one can be blamed for the events that take place when cultures coexist. Changes take place wherever different cultures come into contact. These changes come from various influences from the opposing culture. Throughout the missionary work that took place in Hawaii, cultural combining results in the stronger culture over powering the weaker culture. In most cases, the stronger or more stubborn culture succeeds in forcing ideas and ways onto the other culture. Stronger cultures possess and control weaker cultures, allowing for a noticeable change in many different areas. These changes include change in language, tradition, and settlement.
Language remains the first influence recognized when combining cultures. When two groups come together they must develop a means to communicate. Without this communication, the two societies cannot influence each other on a more personal level. Often times, the stronger cultures force a language onto the weaker cultures. The language change that took place when missionaries migrated to Hawaii proves this cultural influence. The primary language on the island became English after the native people learned how to speak it. Seeing as the English-speaking missionaries had strong opinionated characteristics, not much time passed before the Hawaiian language came near to death and English became the most common language. This meant that English remained the language used to teach the children in schools and the language used to communicate in public places where both natives and emigrants lived. In many situations the stronger culture forces their language onto the weaker culture without any questions.
Two cultures cannot coexist in peace together with their different traditions. Once again, the cultural combining between American missionaries and Hawaiian natives displays the conflict that erupts between cultures. The strong willed Americans did not approve many traditions that the Hawaiian people accepted. Marriage between siblings, which was practiced by the Hawaiian people, did not attract any attention. The people embraced this union between son and daughter and did not consider it an unacceptable act. The elders kept the expectation that brother and sister slept in the same house in a romantic way. This idea startled the missionaries and caused them to take action so that the American culture became the accepted way to live. Also the Christian missionaries did not approve when confronted with the death that was forced onto innocent children. The Hawaiian people considered a birth mark a flaw in a human being. The children with these marks found instant death soon after facing the new world. This default, however, only applied to a few children. Other defects, like an unhealthy child, resulted in drowning the child in the ocean soon after birth. The weaker native people had to accept that their traditions held no value and they had to evolve into accepting the American people's ways. Soon, the Hawaiians found themselves marrying only one individual and keeping every newborn child.
Stronger cultures also bring their ideal settlements and instill their ideas into the weaker people. The many areas within settlement include architectural structures, laws, and acceptable clothing within an area. Before the American people infected the Hawaiian culture, the native's settlements remained simple. However, after the American arrived, the visual image that the civilization created made a one hundred-eighty degree turn. While the natives built buildings with no walls for spiritual reasons, the American people built strong structures with sturdy walls. Soon all architecture took on this solid structure and the open walls no longer existed. The society also developed new laws that honored the American ways. These laws ranged from not allowing sex before marriage to a curfew that the citizens had to abide by. These laws set standards for the Hawaiians to live by. Since the strong American culture brought the idea, the laws struck many similarities to American laws. Once again, the stronger culture stomped on the weaker cultures ideas and instilled their own. The clothing found within the settlement boarder also experienced a drastic change. While the native people found it normal to run around without clothing to restrict them, the American people found it savage and unacceptable. Over time the American people provided clothing to cover the skin that once appreciated the sun. All these changes within the settlement model how the stronger culture prevails over the weaker culture in most cases.
It only makes sense that the stronger figure will overpower the weaker one. While many people like to criticize the qualities that stronger cultures entail, the whole process that takes place represents human nature in action. When they come into contact with a weaker culture, strong cultures will enforce their ideals into the other people. Language, tradition, and settlement all factor into how a culture thrives and these remain the most important changes that take place when cultures combine. The stronger culture forces their language onto the weaker culture and do not respect the language that they force into distinction. The smaller culture is often forced to accept the traditions from the other culture that demands change. The culture that the weak people once had is diminished when they accept the new settlement that the stronger culture possesses. All these changes favor the stronger culture with its stubborn attitude and confident stride. Soon the two societies mold into one and no distinction remains between the two. The evolution that created the Hawaiian culture goes unnoticed after the Americans redefined Hawaiian culture altogether.

Visual Perfection

September 19, 2008

The sand warmed my inner being. My toes curled in and out, griping the earth below. After a moments pause, another figure jumps up beside me. My eyes rise to find my mother. She stands, with a peaceful smirk, waiting for my company. Slowly, I rise and my hand meets hers as we blindly walk toward the water. I am left in complete ignorance until the cold liquid awakens me from my mindless actions. My spine is confronted with a life threatening shiver that stuns my whole body. A quick inhale leaves me stiff and unstable. The waves can see my fear and are quick to attack. Pride fills my mind after I service the oceans first punch, but the back wash keeps me humble as I fall to the ground. Right hand out, ready to embrace the fall, I prepare for the ocean to take me away. A sudden jerk from my mothers grasp pulls me back to safety. It is not until I gain sturdiness in my body that I realize that the water only reaches my ankle bone.

Head tilted back, I see my mother looking off into the distance. Her expression shows a strictness I am unable to grasp, seeing as I am only two years old. My concern for her serious face causes me to tug on her hand for acknowledgement. Her gaze is dropped and she looks down into my worried eyes. A small giggle is accompanied by a motion with her finger that suggests I look at what has occupied her for so long. My eyes follow her finger and are led to the most beautiful site in the world.

Yellow, orange, and red controlled the sky with the dark blue outline that comes from the sea. The sun has a forgiving glow that allows for eyes to enjoy its grace. The sound that comes from the distance is peaceful and seems to put all thought to rest. The sunset, so captivating and breathtaking, allows for nothing else to override its importance. The scenery does not allow for the people along the shore to look at anything else. I am so captivated in the beauty that I cannot break my stare. Silence seems to overcome the world for an immeasurable time.

Time stands still as I turn my head to see what stands behind me. I am the only one in motion and the only one that seems to be looking as anything but the sun. Right behind me, I find my father and brother sitting in the sand remaining in the peace and quiet. They had just been playing in the sand and between them rest a castle that reaches higher than their heads. The hypnotizing sunset stops their progress on the near perfect castle and they now gaze past my profile. I find it hard to understand how my swimsuit does not catch their attention. With its pinkish tint mixed with every color known to man, it is a hard thing to miss. The tutu that hugs my waist brings even more flare to the suit with fabric pointing in every direction. And yet, my swimsuit seems to attract no attention. With some frustration, I turn to my left and lean back to look past my mom. Beach goes too far for my eyes to see. The endless sea line makes the world look even bigger than it is in real life. The scenery to my left cannot keep my attention and my gaze drifts back to the right. Yet again, I am confronted with sand that stretches for many miles. Even though these sights would have kept me staring for many hours before, now that I had seen the unforgettable sunset nothing can quench my eyes thirst. Spite possesses my heart as I look back to the sky that had ruined what I thought beauty was. I am unable to keep these feelings, however, when my eyes return to the sky. This image will always be in my mind and to this very day, nothing has amounted to its glory.

The sun inched below the sea line and the world is able to return to its business. Now that the planet could continue its rotation, my family went back to the rigorous activities we had dropped. My father and brother continued constructing the castle with the help from my mother and me. My hands dive into the ground and pull up a sand ball. The sticky sand covers my fingers and changes my skins color as well as its texture. Trying to help, I lob the ball onto the castle walls to make them stronger and more detailed. The sudden his from my brother proves that my help is not wanted. I retract my position and make my arms support my wait as I lean back. Legs crossed, I take a posture that is much too mature for any two years old to take. I am, once again, looking over the peaceful sea. It is at that point that my mind begins to race. “That image was so intense and life changing, I will never be able to forget it”, I think to myself.

To this very day, that image is encrusted in my heart. My first memory just so happens to be my best memory. My present character is based on that day. I am always looking for beauty that could amount to something close to that sunset, and yet every image I pass falls short. I am glad that I saw beauty so early in my years; now, when I am confronted with true beauty again, I will know what I am looking at.

Running Through My Veins

September 5, 2008


My first memorable visit to the windy city defined my present ideas about where I want to go in this life and defined my most important characteristics. I stood hand in hand with my mother waiting for that taxi that would take me to the life changing city. Eyes glazed over, I stood on the sidewalk until a yellow flash averted my stare. There was silence for only a moment and then the vehicle sped off with jagged movements. My brain scattered unable to maintain focus as various images flashed through the windows. After about five minutes the driver screeched to a stop and shoved my mother and me out the door while grabbing for the valuable green paper slips. Frantic movements possessed my mother as I became hypnotized by the humbling new scenery. Not much time passed before I realized that this place now defined me and my existence.
Chicago developed an appreciation and a love for variety in me. The second I stepped foot on the experienced sidewalk, more people than I ever knew existed blurred before my eyes. It is said that people fear what is different than themselves, but the sight sparked curiosity and interest in me about what was out there hiding from me and my quiet home town. My mother, troubled by my quickened steps, held onto me with both hands hoping not to lose me. At last, the friction my short legs produced came to an abrupt stop when the Sears Tower intruded on my path. My glance creped up the building’s surface: It must have taken a minute or two for my eyes to reach the top. Jaw dropped, I jolted back into reality with my mothers questioning words. "Elena, Are you feeling well?" It took a much time for me to shake off my astonishment but I managed to continue the day’s adventure. The moment I put myself back together I turned around to take in all that information I ran past just moments before. At this time, the sun seemed to shine brighter to frame the numerous buildings and the hectic motion seemed to slow down as the sounds ceased. Time stood still as I developed my feelings for this place and the place became embedded in my soul. From that moment on I knew that my life's journey would include the beautiful scenery that the city had to offer. Chicago engraved itself in my dreams.
Ever since that first visit, the city molded my characteristics. The need for speed flows in my veins thanks to the constant movement that defines such a populous area. It is as if the city never sleeps. This quality defined me in that I must always have a task at hand or I feel discomfort and concern. I must be doing something with my time or I feel like I am falling behind and the world is passing me by. Whether this is a good quality or a bad quality, it is a quality none the less that has changed the way I live. My mind works like a city runs; no event, no mater how huge or life changing it is, can stop the pulses in my brains nerves.
Along with my new active self, the city has also engrained an appreciation for variety that was never there before. Each day, I see at least a thousand people I have never seen before. Each person has there own story and own ideas that could marvel me for days. Just thinking about all those lives humbles my personality; there are so many people out there that my life almost seems insignificant. Every time I roam the city, I find myself looking at each face that passes me by and try to make a story for them. As I shuffle my way through the pigeon sea, I find a man sleeping on a bench with next to no possessions. Once a wealthy man, he now sits unable to find the money to afford his medication. My quickened steps take me to yet another individual that lives quite a different life. Her black stilettos and revealing dress proves that she is on her way to see that special someone. He has been in her life for only four months and she is already convinced that she is in love. The white glow that shines past her lips hints to the public that her man is in sight. I am introduced to yet another character down the block that is so different from me that I have trouble understanding him and his situation all together. He came from another country to find a better life that will provide for his family. He speaks next to no English and wanders the street with fear blazing through his eyes. I learn from each individual in a way so minute that I almost do not recognize the lessons at all. Depending on my situation, I use the lessons these people teach to live my own life. The variety provides for a vast knowledge that could get me through any conflict.My rambling about the city and its wonders has encouraged my friends to label me with a nickname: City girl is now my accepted title. I go where the population is great and time does not stop. That first visit to Chicago made all this clear. Thanks to that trip, I now have a passion for the blaring horns and the people that flow like streams. Now, I have a love for the constant motion that fails to stop no mater what the circumstances might be. Now I find joy in looking at all the people in the world that are so different from each other that there is no way to even consider them the same species. This place impacted my life more than any other place my eyes have seen. No matter where I am, Chicago will always be on my mind.

My Life's Leader

August 22, 2008

I stood in the driveway awaiting the person that would soon become the most influential aspect in my life. At the time, however, I was unaware that my life was about to make a drastic change. She bolted down the road with such strength that I almost ran in fear. Thanks to my unnatural urge to stay and wait things out, I was introduced to Anna, my new dressage riding instructor. From that point on, Anna lead me into the real world where I developed and matured into who I am today. That introduction allowed for a smooth flowing relationship: We work together like a well oiled machine. Anna's optimistic and outspoken personality flows with my quiet personality as well as influencing my personality to change.
Five years after that first introduction, I found myself competing at a rated dressage show in Castle Rock. Anna and I entered the show knowing that we were there for the experience and could not expect any ribbons or recognition. After all, this was my first rated show and I had to compete against girls that had been training on higher level horses for a lot longer than me. Going into that day, it felt as though we were entering into a shark aquarium: Our standards were set very low from the beginning. The day started with a quick warm up in the out side arena. Anna belted out directions in her confident voice and caused me to forget about the situation we were in. After Anna helped me gain my confidence, she led me to the showing ring and kept me focused with constant questions she slipped into my mind. Before I knew it, I found myself staring at the watchful judge. I almost lost my focus before Anna started calling my course for all to hear. Silence soothed the people and all that could be heard was Anna’s echoing voice. When I finished the test a loud scream bellowed from Anna’s lips, which was a common reaction for her after I finished any test. As I left the ring I was welcomed with a big hug from no other than Anna herself. She dangled the results inches from my face and skipped off expecting me to follow. As we read over the results, I stared at her face taking in all she had to say. With each others help we were able to win the first place ribbon that day. This story parallels how Anna helps me in my overall life; she is the back bone I need to live a successful life.
Due to the fact that we are such different people, Anna and I are able to work together and accomplish many things. Every week, I make it out to the ranch to get an incredible horseback riding lesson from my other half. The second I leave my car and enter the barn, Anna and my relationship moves in perfect motion. "Elena! How was your week?" I am always introduced with a loud voice that I could never impersonate. After a short and sweet response from myself, I am confronted with yet another intriguing story that seems to have no end. This communication is repeated throughout the hour and a half I am there. It is not like Anna has more to say or better stories; she simple becomes my leader and I become a follower. I often find myself more intrigued in her life than my own because she voices her opinions so well and I am able to review those thoughts in my head. I am comforted by the fact that I am able to listen and not speak just as much as she is comforted by the fact that I will allow her to voice her thoughts. Together we maintain a perfect balance and are able to work together like a yin and yang
This loud knowledgeable teacher is held in high regards by me. I know that I become quiet when I am around her because I want to know everything she has to offer. She has all my respect seeing as she brought me from a young novice rider to a second level dressage trainer. Along with developing my riding skills, she also developed who I am as a person. Thanks to the great respect I hold for her, I make it my responsibility to use her teachings in my own life. In my riding lessons, she puts heavy focus on the positive riding and ignores the negative. This technique makes the riding fun as well as doubling my ability and confidence in the sport. This is Anna’s approach t o life; she developed an honest eye for the positive parts in life and puts all her focus on it. Anna is a model to me and I am happy to take on her approach to life.
I must give most credit for who I have become to this incredible teacher. Anna is so influential in my life that when I am not with her, she can be found within me. My friends have noticed my character has shifted and changed into something different than what it was before. While some people frown upon such a change, I find that this change is no change at all. Anna encouraged my outgoing optimistic side to come out from its shy and reserved shell. Now, I know how it feels to see the world through an open eye. Now, I know what it feels like to become a leader. Now, I understand how a good relationship should flow. Anna once said, "Now you have the confidence and skill to ride a great test, so go show the world what you’re made of." And so, I will enter this world a changed person; a person who lives and sees through different eyes than my child version ever did. Anna influenced my life and continues to do so to this very day due to her noticeable character that flows well with my own.