Sunday, September 13, 2015
I was born on November 13, 1973, at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in
Boston, MA. The hospital is now known as Brigham and Women's
Hospital. I was a big boy, weighing about 7 pounds at birth. My mother still
jokes around with me about how much of a hard time she had giving birth to me. I grew up on Evans street in Dorchester, MA. When I was about 5 years old, my parents divorced. After the divorce, I can remember spending much of my time at my grandmothers house. She lived just up the street from us. Now I saw my mother having to work twice as hard to provide for us. I believe this is where I get my drive from, seeing my mother work day and night. We are very similar in that regard. A few years later, my mother remarried, and my younger brother was born. There is a 6 year difference between us. He and I were different. We were close, but sort of distant at the same time. As I got older, life became more of a roller coaster ride. My father wasn't in my life. When I was 13, he passed away. He was only 38 years old. At that moment, I had to teach myself what my father was supposed to teach me. Throughout elementary, and middle school, I was always a pretty good student. That was one of the positives I had going on in my life at the time. I could see that I still struggled to find my own identity. As I entered high school, things went down hill fast. I hardly went to school, and when I did, I wasn't doing any work. Somehow towards the end of my freshman year, I managed to pull everything together and move on to the 10th grade. I knew a change had to be made. Instead of going back to Madison Park High School, I pleaded with my mother to let me go to private school. She finally agreed, and enrolled me the next school year. As I look back on that change, I can see that it saved me. I flourished at my new school, and things seemed to be getting better. I made it, and finally graduated. At that moment, my life took yet another change. Graduating gave me a since of accomplishment.
Deep sea fishing is one of my favorite activities to do. When I get on that boat, my cell phone doesn't work, the sun is starting to rise, and there is this chill in the air that makes it all worth while. It's me and the open ocean, my playground. We steam to the fishing grounds, drop our baited lines down 300 feet, and reel up some very tasty treats from the sea. I've been taught how to clean, and process my catch. It's something that takes skills. It makes me feel complete. I'm a provider, bringing home food for my family that I caught and prepared for them.
Another hobby of mine is going to the shooting range. Saying that scares some people. Some people are unaware that shooting is a sport. A sport that is recognized throughout the world. It is competitive, and involves tests of accuracy and speed. It also takes concentration and patience. Men, women, and children of age are able to participate.
I also enjoy gardening. A small plant goes into the ground. Add, some water and sunlight, and this small plant begins to transform. It grows, matures, and evolves into food, or colorful plants. I'm always fascinated by watching this take place, watching the change day by day. At times I get my chair, sit in the garden and listen to the birds chirp, and the bees buzz. They actually do the work. Most plants have to be pollinated in order to grow. The bees go from blossom to blossom, dusting as they go. I'm in another world when I'm in the garden. Everything is peaceful and quiet.
Before I embarked on this new journey of going back to college, a good friend of mine talked to me about having a feeling of accomplishment, and admired the idea of college. He told me that he could tell I was unhappy with my current situation. I explained that I was. I also expressed how nervous I was to do this. I had this feeling of being anxious but scared at the same time. I can remember September 8, 2015 like it was yesterday. I had my first class. My life changed at 7:00 pm that day. The walk from my car to the main entrance of the campus seemed like such a long walk, one that I was ready to take. I walked focused, eager, and ready to learn. I am determined to complete my mission. I feel like a general. I am a general, in control of my one man army. No more letting life pass me by. It's time to take control of my destiny.
Affirmation #97
The past has no power over me anymore.
Took some time to realize,
he can't hurt me anymore.
everything in life happens for a reason.
Patrick is the real superman!
afraid of nothing,
stronger than most,
taller than the sky.
hold on, enjoy the ride.
a new man is here!
sit down and wait!
nothing happens till I say!
opponents, don't apply.
put yourself in position,
oust the competition!
water is life, watch the
elephants drink.
rocks turn to sand.....
overtime.
vultures eat rotten meat.
everything in the desert submits to defeat.
run over me if you can.
men like me can't be knocked off their feet.
every time you try, I'll get right back up.
anything you do,
nothing will phase me.
you know where to find me.
most of the time I'm at home,
outside with a cigar, chilling,
reminiscing on the day, and what I could have done better.
evolution is coming, get ready!
I was born on November 13, 1973, at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in
Boston, MA. The hospital is now known as Brigham and Women's
Hospital. I was a big boy, weighing about 7 pounds at birth. My mother still
jokes around with me about how much of a hard time she had giving birth to me. I grew up on Evans street in Dorchester, MA. When I was about 5 years old, my parents divorced. After the divorce, I can remember spending much of my time at my grandmothers house. She lived just up the street from us. Now I saw my mother having to work twice as hard to provide for us. I believe this is where I get my drive from, seeing my mother work day and night. We are very similar in that regard. A few years later, my mother remarried, and my younger brother was born. There is a 6 year difference between us. He and I were different. We were close, but sort of distant at the same time. As I got older, life became more of a roller coaster ride. My father wasn't in my life. When I was 13, he passed away. He was only 38 years old. At that moment, I had to teach myself what my father was supposed to teach me. Throughout elementary, and middle school, I was always a pretty good student. That was one of the positives I had going on in my life at the time. I could see that I still struggled to find my own identity. As I entered high school, things went down hill fast. I hardly went to school, and when I did, I wasn't doing any work. Somehow towards the end of my freshman year, I managed to pull everything together and move on to the 10th grade. I knew a change had to be made. Instead of going back to Madison Park High School, I pleaded with my mother to let me go to private school. She finally agreed, and enrolled me the next school year. As I look back on that change, I can see that it saved me. I flourished at my new school, and things seemed to be getting better. I made it, and finally graduated. At that moment, my life took yet another change. Graduating gave me a since of accomplishment.
Before I embarked on this new journey of going back to college, a good friend of mine talked to me about having a feeling of accomplishment, and admired the idea of college. He told me that he could tell I was unhappy with my current situation. I explained that I was. I also expressed how nervous I was to do this. I had this feeling of being anxious but scared at the same time. I can remember September 8, 2015 like it was yesterday. I had my first class. My life changed at 7:00 pm that day. The walk from my car to the main entrance of the campus seemed like such a long walk, one that I was ready to take. I walked focused, eager, and ready to learn. I am determined to complete my mission. I feel like a general. I am a general, in control of my one man army. No more letting life pass me by. It's time to take control of my destiny.
Affirmation #97
The past has no power over me anymore.
Took some time to realize,
he can't hurt me anymore.
everything in life happens for a reason.
Patrick is the real superman!
afraid of nothing,
stronger than most,
taller than the sky.hold on, enjoy the ride.
a new man is here!
sit down and wait!
nothing happens till I say!
opponents, don't apply.
put yourself in position,
oust the competition!
water is life, watch the
elephants drink.
rocks turn to sand.....
overtime.
vultures eat rotten meat.
everything in the desert submits to defeat.
run over me if you can.
men like me can't be knocked off their feet.
every time you try, I'll get right back up.
anything you do,
nothing will phase me.
you know where to find me.
most of the time I'm at home,
outside with a cigar, chilling,
reminiscing on the day, and what I could have done better.
evolution is coming, get ready!
Patrick,
ReplyDeleteExcellent first post. I like the design that you chose and the images that you placed in your post.
Your writing is great - full of energy and full of details. When you write about fishing, I feel like I'm out on that boat as well. Be sure to keep those great details in all of your writing this semester - they'll take the reader there with you - and that's powerful writing.
Your poem is very thought provoking, too. It's strong. It takes an interesting and unexpected twist into the desert imagery, but you stick with it, and it flows.
This is a great start. Keep up, and you will do well back at school.
GR: 92