December is a very special month. It's a time for sharing the warmth of family and friendship. What was the best gift that you ever gave or received. Why? This gift DOES NOT have to be a material item...
The best gift I ever received was this new laptop when I was around 11. Back then, I used to be into video games and tech so I needed a portable device for my gaming needs. Although I had a desktop, I enjoyed my time with the laptop much, much more because it was so much easier. It was an HP Pavillion laptop. It had an awesome black finish on the outside and shiny silver plating on the inside. The track pad was smooth and responsive. The keys had an awesome click to it and were well designed. I loved the laptop and I still have it. It was the first piece of tech that I received that was my own. The desktop that I was talking about before was actually shared by me and my brother. So, it was amazing to have my own personal laptop. It was pretty fast and precise so I was able to play most of my games, such as Minecraft, on it. All I had to do was plug in my wireless mouse and a set of gaming headphones and I was ready to go. I wasn't restricted to a desk and chair. I could just go and sit on the couch or on the bed if I wanted to be more comfortable. This new laptop provided me with a bunch of new options and choice which I didn't have before. I got it for my 11th birthday and it was the best birthday present ever. Since I spent so much time with it, it helped me learn how to type faster and I learned more about the computer. I learned how to manage files and work a computer. It helped enhance my knowledge of new technology and in a way, it provided me with a new device to experiment on. I learned how to write simple code and even some programming. The computer was so versatile that I could even download word and powerpoint so I got to use it for school work as well as just playing video games. It became a place for me to save my stuff and a place for me to enhance my knowledge. I did share the laptop with my brother sometimes but it would just be where I let him borrow it. It was basically my own but he was able to use it if he really needed it. Over the years I got a new laptop and new technological devices but none of them will be as special as my old pavillion. It had most of my memories and even though it isn't up to date with the current tech standards, it is still an amazing system. Even through all these years of use, it still is in working condition. I will admit that it has a few scratches but they don't really make a major difference. Now I use my new laptop more since it is faster and easier to work with but it will never be the same as my old laptop. Every time I open the screen of that pavillion, I am hit with nostalgia, remembering the good old times of 5th grade.
The best gift I ever got (by a very long shot) would definitely be my little brother Anuj. I was blessed to have such a beautiful gift from God more than six years ago, on December 16th, 2010 (yes, he was a Boston Tea Party baby). I had always wanted to have a little sibling and was very lonely because I was the only child, which I guess was the reason why my parents had a second baby. My mom also used to joke about having a baby girl and thus making the gender ratio equal in our family, although that didn’t really happen when we found out during her pregnancy that the baby was going to be a little boy. But even now, the minority (Mom) still rules the house! ;-) Anyways, every evening and night I would always put my hand and ears against Mom’s growing belly to hear or feel Anuj kicking inside me, and I always used to ask Mom whether it hurt, to which she’d always reply, “Of course it does.” And since I used to sleep with my mom and dad then, every time before we all went to sleep, I used to sing for my little brother in the womb, which I guess contributed to his love for music. I just couldn’t wait for my brother to come into my life.
On the day of my birth, I was about seven-and-a-half, and I still remember going to school late that day because I had to be with Mom and Dad at the JFK hospital where I was born. I was half-sleepy, and we waited a long time, but finally, at 8:32 a.m., Anuj came into this world. When my Dad came back, I was overjoyed to see his face for the first time as he showed me a little video of him. Then when he came into my arms, wrapped in snuggly blankets and a cute little hat, I felt like it was the most blessed moment I ever had in my life. His face was so cute and peaceful, and I just couldn’t contain my joy. But then I had to go to school, and though I was a little late, I was still early enough to be in time for “circle time” and announce the birth of my newborn brother. Then, that evening, we went back to the hospital to see my brother again. And that night, as I sang an Indian Classical song for him, he smiled for the first time in his life—and that too, in his sleep!
From that day on, every day was a blessing to me. Almost every weekend I’d feed him milk on my lap in the couch, and I’d always gently pet him and talk to him in that high-pitched sweet voice that parents tend to talk to their babies to. In a way, I almost became like a second father to him, and in fact, I’m more of a role model to him than even my parents sometimes. Over the years, as he learned how speak and crawl and walk, he started calling me by the Gujarati word for “older brother”, “bhaya,” and he got so used to it that he still calls me that to this day! Now, he’s grown up to be an amazing kid with lots of energy and passion, although I’ll admit that often we do get into lots of fights and arguments when we play together and while I’m doing my homework. But most importantly, he’s the first one to come to me when I’m feeling sad, and the first one to ask why and comfort me, so I know in him I always have a free shoulder to cry on. That’s why he’s the best gift I’ve ever had so far, and I know he’s going to be a star wherever he goes and touch the hearts of everyone he meets with his charisma. Plus, I can always trust him to be there for me and protect me no matter what. Who knows? He might even be my bodyguard one day!
The best gift I’ve ever got was my phone for my birthday this year. Usually, I would expect a book or a video game, but not much more, and definitely not a phone. For years, I had asked for a phone, but the response was always the same. “No, no, no! You’re too young, you might break it, you don’t really need it, and it costs too much”, and so on. But when I finally got a phone last year, I was ecstatic. I didn’t care if it was my dad’s old phone, but only instead that I had a phone for myself. I took it with me everywhere, which led to its downfall. At a birthday party at a friend’s house, I was sitting on a chair that two kids promptly flipped over. As my phone fell out, the bottom half of the screen shattered, rendering the entire thing useless. When I asked my dad to replace the screen, he said it wasn’t worth it, and so I was phone-free again. Over the course of a year, I wondered if I would get another phone again. Soon, I just gave up and simply waited for whatever I would get for my birthday. On the special day, my parents handed me a tiny gift bag, and I became incredibly suspicious. No book I know would fit in there, and my parents usually let me choose the video game I wanted. Inside was a plain orange box. When I opened it, THERE WAS A PHONE! My very own phone! This wasn’t some old, used phone, but a new phone bought for me! My parents said they got it because of my recent grades, but I didn’t care. Once I got my new phone, I was excited. Finally, I could get back with what I use to do: talk and text with my friends, play games, roam around on the internet and watch videos among other things. Now, I wouldn’t have to constantly nag my parents to borrow their phones, installing and deleting the apps I wanted to used so their phones wouldn’t get unnecessarily get bogged down. And it sure was a lot better than waiting for my laptop to slowly turn on, and even more so when my family and I are away from home. The major benefit, however is that it isn’t a one-trick pony like some other gifts (such as gift cards or toys). If my calculator is out of juice or if I can’t find it, my phone and the calculator app is there. If I want to learn more about something I saw or heard, my phone and the Wikipedia app is there. If I’m stuck at the mall in a line on Black Friday, my phone and the games on it are there. If I want to take a picture of something cool I see, my phone and the Camera app are there. Simply said, I could use my phone for virtually anything. Just think of it as a smaller version of my laptop. If I had gotten something else for my birthday, (for example a gift card), it might only have one or two features that I would have no use for, or it might be of too little value to have any effect on my future, definitely unlike my phone. Along with the all-in-one function of my phone, it’s also becoming more and more necessary in everyday life, and I’d need it. Teachers use Remind to text out info that I wouldn’t be able to get quickly or easily, and more and more homework is posted on teachers’ websites or Google classroom which I can easily find on my phone. Also, as I grow older, my friends will move away and the only way for me to talk with them would be o my phone. All in all, the best gift I’ve ever gotten was my phone, for which I’ll be extremely grateful.
A good gift is supposed to have meaning and show that the gift giver cares for you and really thought out the gift. This being said, the best gift that I received was a ping pong table. When I was in fourth grade, I went to this sleepover camp in Virginia that lasted a week. At this camp they had ping pong tables and I had a counselor who was really good at Ping Pong. During the second day I attempted to play ping pong against some of my friends and I lost miserably because they had previous practice playing Ping Pong. Even though I was losing, I was still having a lot of fun. Soon, the other campers got bored of playing Ping Pong and went to go play football or soccer in the big field, leaving the whole table to myself. I got the help of one of the adults and we put up one side of the table against the wall so I could practice alone. Everyday, while my friends were playing in the field, I just practiced playing Ping Pong in my free time. As the week was coming to an end, I had picked up pretty well on the basics of Ping Pong. The next thing I did was I asked my counselor to play a game against me so I could learn how to counter more advanced techniques and with the professional rules rather than the half made up recreation rules. I got destroyed by my counselor with me having 6 points and him winning with 21 points but I had a ton of fun playing Ping Pong. The first thing that I did when I got back was that I told my dad about my adventures learning Ping Pong and he was thrilled to hear them. After I finished telling him, he told me about how he won a few tournaments in recreation centers in India playing Ping Pong which sparked a new idea in my head. I asked him if we could get our own Ping Pong table. Then, he thought about it for a minute but shut my idea down completely. I found this very odd because we have a good amount of space in our basement and he seemed to love the sport Ping Pong. I completely gave up on the idea and was unaware of how Christmas was right around the corner. Then, on Christmas morning my dad dragged me downstairs and showed me the big Eastpoint box with a brand new table inside. with a 4 pack of Prince table tennis paddles and ping pong balls. I was thrilled to see that and we spent to whole next day assembling it and playing on it. My dad showed me how to perform certain serves and returns. He also taught me the art behind spinning a ball making it bounce unexpectedly on the opponents side, in turn making it much more difficult to hit. I still play on the same table a lot and it is a ton of fun, now I can beat my dad and anyone else at the local YMCA in Ping Pong.
Out of the countless gifts I have received in my life, the best one would definitely be this robotic kit called LEGO Mindstorms EV3. Now, I know the name LEGO suggests that this is a childish toy, but it is exactly the opposite. The kit contains unique software like color, touch, and infrared sensors along with with building blocks that LEGO is so famous for. Using these materials, you can construct robots and program them via computer, so that your mechanical creation can carry out simple tasks.
Back then, I loved building LEGO sets. I would purchase at least one kit every month, and eventually my room would be filled up with these creations, ranging from office buildings to Star Wars battleships. I also liked robots and basic computer programming. When I was free during weekends, I would go on a website called Hour of Code and spend an ample of time there. Anyways, I was at a store one day when I noticed the kit. On the very top shelf, there stood gigantic box with spider wrap security. But all hopes of purchasing the product disappeared into thin air when we took a look at the price tag. The LEGO Mindstorms was about three hundred fifty dollars, and this caused my parents to promptly deny my request. They said that I was only excited about the toy right now, and it would be a waste of money if they bought it, eventually sitting on the top of the shelf collecting dust. Ever since that moment where I first got to know about LEGO Mindstorms, I remember asking my parents for it almost every single day. I would try to convince them by showing them videos and providing facts to persuade them to buy it for me. But, my parents were always firm about their answer: no, no, no, no, NO!
Finally, after an entire year and a half requesting for the robot, my dad and I finally made an agreement. This was the summer of 2015, and I was about to take the test to get into the Gifted and Talented program. I convinced my parents that if, and only if, I pass the test, they would buy me the robot kit. In a way, this was the incentive that willed me to try my hardest on that test, resulting in success. Anyways, after that day, we waited another month or so for the score to come via mail. When I found out that I had passed the test and was now part of Gifted and Talented, I was so excited at the realization that not only was I part of the program, but also going to get the LEGO Mindstorms! My parents also kept their word. Immediately, they went to the nearest toy store to see if they have the product in stock. Unfortunately, they didn’t, causing my parents to look everywhere for it. After spending hours without any luck, they went to the Toys R Us at Times Square and bought my dream toy home.
This gift was certainly the best, as it was a combination of two of my favorite hobbies at the time. I was really into LEGO and robotics, and this was the perfect thing for me. I was eager to prove that my parent’s theory of how sooner or later, Mindstorms will just sit there collecting dust was incorrect. So, from the very day I received the robot kit, I made sure to put it to full use, playing with it every chance I got. Even to this day, I try to find time on weekends to make something new from the kit. Nonetheless, it is not only an educational item that I cherish, but also a reminder of all the rewards you get for your hard work.
I have received and given lots of gifts over the years, both tangible and intangible. The item I chose to write about is a material item I received just over a week ago, but it’s not something I have been wishing for for years or anything like that. The best gifts are those that are a surprise, not something you asked for and then got. I’m not the kind of kid to beg for anything or make a list of all the things I want for a holiday. Quite the opposite, actually—I didn't ask for anything for my birthday or Christmas this year (which I consider to basically be the same celebration, since the dates are so close). My parents, however, didn’t want those days to pass by without getting me a gift. That, ladies and gents, was how I was given the greatest gift ever. On the 22nd of December (of this year, which is my birthday, of course), my parents gave me a small, black velvet pouch embroidered with golden letters to open. Inside there was a golden chain with a charm of that same hue in the shape of a military dog tag. Engraved into the charm were the words “Poppy & Me”, referring to the name I used to call my grandfather. On the other side was a hologram-like picture of my grandfather and I at a World War II convention. I’m about five or six years old in the photo with this oversized black hat on that he had bought me that day, and I’m on his lap. It’s my favorite picture of us together, and my parents surely knew that when they had the necklace made. My grandfather and I had a very special relationship. Sometimes I would just sit on his lap or near him, and we could bond without having to use words. He had a laugh that made you want to laugh too, he was an extremely hard working man who worked until he physically couldn’t get up anymore, he was goofy and wonderful with kids, and an overall amazing person who deserved to live much longer than he did. I’m actually starting to cry while typing this—I miss him so much, and it was so thoughtful of my parents to give me something to remember him by. My mom’s words when I opened the pouch were, “You can keep Poppy close to your heart”, both literally (when I wear the necklace) and emotionally. As I mentioned previously, the custom-made necklace wasn’t an item I asked for (not that I even asked for anything). I didn’t even know that it was possible to make something like that. Therefore, I was amazed at the necklace’s beauty and the thoughtfulness of my parent’s gift to me. It meant so much more than the newest phone or gaming system that’s on most people’s wish lists. I’m going to cherish the necklace, because there’s nothing in this world that can be a better gift than that.
Presents are the utter core of excitement for most people during times like Christmas or New Year’s. Most of the gifts that I have ever received are ephemerally implanted in my memory; before long they wisp away from my attention like a mere breeze in a forest. However, there have been a few gifts that will probably be forever imbedded in my mind. The best gift that I ever received was a book called “If Only I Had a Green Nose.” As strange as it may seem, this short book that I read years ago has given me a lesson that I have remembered for all these years. I don’t remember when I received it - all I know is that the overlooked children’s book that is now wedged between old toys in my basement was a gift given by a older cousin of mine. It was more so of the lesson that I took away from it rather than the actual book that was a gift for me. I didn’t really bother to read that book for a few months. However, on one typical first grade day, I was going about rummaging through a literal mound of books for a book report I had to do for homework. Another bundle of books lying nearby caught my attention, as I slowly noticed that those books were gifts from my cousin. After a long time of judging them by their covers, like any young kid would do, I chose out a book, solely due to it’s colorful cover that appealed to me. In it, a human named Eli made these “Wemmicks” (small, wooden, human shaped dolls.) Eli made all of them distinctively different - no Wemmick was like another one. One day, a few of the Wemmicks decided to start a trend - to have green noses. In a little store, everybody went and had their noses painted green. The main character however, didn’t follow this trend; he got looked down upon often, but he still stuck to the fact that everyone was unique and had to stay that way. From then on, every one or two weeks, a new trend would arise: first green noses, then yellow noses, then pink noses, then red noses, etc. Before long, the main character of the story got caught up in everything and started painting his nose too. (I’ll skip to the end of the story to cut it short.) Before long, the main character forgot his original appearance, as everybody had the same colored nose. After some time, he decided to consult Eli, who explained to him that everybody was different, and shouldn’t be compared to others. At the time, I didn’t understand the meaning behind this weird sounding book much - it wasn’t your normal fairy tale or in a trouble-and-rescue format that most books for younger kids were. I quickly completed my book report and left the book sitting on my bed. Later on, I understood what I had to take away from the book. This short book taught me that your outer appearance/items won’t matter in the long run. It won’t matter if you have $200 Air Jordans or not. It won’t matter if you don’t have those Adidas sweatpants or not. Eventually, there will be a new trend that everyone will be highly pressurized to follow, and once again you will have to buy new items, or paint your noses again, as in the book. This book has taught me that sometimes, everything isn’t about wearing items that are like everyone else’s. Sometimes, we have to value our differences and disregard these short lasting trends, that make us all similar, that we know are going to change sooner or later. Most of all, you have to appreciate who you are as a person, and not your appearance. Especially as I am in a middle school environment where trends play a large role, this lesson has been really important to me. This book itself is a great gift, but the lesson that the book gave me is the best gift that I have ever received.
Gifts are great to give and receive. I will be writing about two because I am so satisfied to have both. One of the greatest gift I have gotten was my tablet. I got my new tablet on my 13th birthday and I was so happy. I had a tablet before too but it was really old and it lost may of its functions for example it wouldn't shut of correctly. I would often tell my parents and older brother that I needed a new device but they kept telling me I should be thankful that I even have a tablet. I have always wanted a phone but my parents think I'm too young to get one and once I go into high school I will get one. I adjusted to the fact that I wasn't going to get a phone but I really wanted a new tablet. And later on my wish came true. My tablet is so helpful. It is much faster than my older tablet. Although my tablet has entertainment purposes it is great for doing school work too.
On the other hand, although I'm not sure if this is actually a gift, I was begging my parents for my own room. I used to share a room with my older sister which was very annoying. I wanted my own room where it would be just me, myself, and I. We have been sharing rooms for as long as I can remember. We would get in fights over the littlest things and we still do even with our separate rooms. My sister would boss me around since I'm four years younger. She thought she was the queen of the room which got me very mad. Soon enough, she used to stay up late because she had a lot of homework. This resulted in me also staying up because the light was always on. I would wake up cranky and tired. Or, she would wake up really early in the morning to do her homework and by putting the light on I would wake up. Sharing a room with my sister just resulted in me suffering. Sometimes I would be mad and annoyed or wake up really tired. I begged my parents for me to get my own room, but we had no other space. Finally,my parents decided to start construction in the attic and make it into two separate rooms. At last, after a year I have my own room! Now no one can boss me around, or keep me from sleeping. It's perfect!
Gifts are given frequently throughout the year, from Christmas to birthdays to random acts of kindness. Most gifts are only used for a short period of time, then soon forgotten, even though at the moment they seem like a big deal. But one gift I still use is my pair my headphones. I have received a pair of Sony headphones a few years ago on a random day sometime during the summer—perhaps in July or August. My parents had gifted me these headphones. Though they are not exactly the best or my favorite one of those I own, I still use it every day. Actually, I am using it right now as I type this up, listening to Demons by Imagine Dragons (though it is a few years old) at full blast, feeling the drums vibrate my body when the lead vocalist Dan Reynolds sings, “Your eyes, they shine so bright/ I want to save their light/ I can’t escape this now/ Unless you show me how.”
I enjoy listening to music often – actually all the time, though I legitimately have no musical talent whatsoever (I’ll be like the one kid that manages to fail a first grade music class). These headphones opened up the music world to me, helping me discover the many genres and the complexities of music. I get to listen to music that matches the mood I am at the moment, either listening to “On Top of the World” by Imagine Dragons when I’m happy or “Stressed Out” by Twenty-One Pilots when I’m stressed out or “Nightingale” by Demi Lovato when I’m sad or “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Steafni when I feel like laughing and etcetera. I personally like isolation. So, when given the headphones I was able to listen to music alone to the point where I am unaware of my surroundings, which is the best feeling of all.
In a way, by giving me the headphones, my parents have also given me privacy. I get to watch TV and random Youtube videos in peace and without disturbing the rest of my family, though it gets awkward when I start laughing out of nowhere if something funny occurs in the video. Music is kind of a private thing for me, something I do not like to share with anyone else because you can only completely immerse yourself in music when you’re listening to it alone, with the knowledge that no one else can invade upon your privacy.
Another way my headphones is one of the best gifts I've ever received is because it's multi-funtional. They serve as headbands. Each year I go through many headbands, either by breaking them or losing them. I can never real let my hair out since it’s what you would describe thick, curly (not the nice, pretty, bouncy curls but like dead rose thorns that blind people), unruly (since it’s pretty much its own living creature), and it is also suffering from an extreme case of frizziness. I’m forced to wear a pony tail or braid or a bun to keep my hair back and to keep my witch-like hair from scaring people away. At home I can let my hair out, yet keep my hair out of my face while enjoying music or watching random YouTube videos without the pain of wearing an actual headband.
The truth is that presents, I usually use and throw away. I use them but they don’t have a real “sentimental” value. I guess the thing that has the most sentimental value to me is my “A” necklace. My necklace was a present from my parents in the sixth grade. I didn’t really know what I wanted that year so I just said to my parents, “Surprise me.” I guess that they saw me a few months earlier, looking at some “A” necklaces as I was just bored and they were very pretty. So they bought an “A” necklace from Macy’s (where I was looking at the necklaces). It had little diamonds decorating it and it was on a sterling silver chain. I wore it everyday since until I went to India. In India I had it made into silver and now I kept that safe so it wouldn’t be lost or stolen when I take it off in places like gym. This a sentimental ornament to me in many ways. The most major reason why is because it showed to me my parents did pay attention to what I liked. Before that I thought they didn’t understood my hobbies and interests and my choice of accessories. But the fact that they actually paid attention to me checking out some necklaces--that’s a comforting thought. Another reason it is important to me is that it’s a good thing to wear with anything. I don’t really have a lot of fancy things--casual is my thing. But this necklace is easy to pair with a baseball tee and jeans but also with a pair of shiny black heels and a formal black dress. This is the one accessory that I can pair with anything and everything. Another reason is that I love it is because of my “ex”- paranoia. See I used to have this paranoia that everyone was judging me. See, you know how some accessories look good on you but their one downfall is that they just stick out and they make you feel like everyone is staring at you? Well that is the reason I stopped using--wearing accessories that stuck out. I used to go to school without any. But when I got this necklace I knew it would look good on me and it would not stick out and make me feel uncomfortable. So this necklace kind of helped me got over that paranoia. This another reason why it’s so important to me. So you see my necklace means a lot to me other than just being a good fashion accessory. My parents kind of show cased their love for me through this necklace. It helped me get over my paranoia and it goes with everything I wear.
Looking back at all the great gifts I received in December over the years, I can think of two great gifts, and both I got on December 26th. 6 years ago my sister was born during that huge snow storm, but my sister's birth was not only a gift but a curse as well. Those of you who have younger sisters will know what I am talking about. However, 3 years before my sister was born, I got a puppy – Bella.
Bella is a Boston Terrier, and a wonderful dog. She is very loving, always looking to sneak in a kiss. Having Bella did teach me a lot. She loves going outside, so much that she would get out of our back yard a lot when she was younger (luckily she does not do that anymore). From that I learned that leaving the house without letting anyone know where you are going can cause panic. In my opinion she is very cute, but others find her ugly. I learned that perception of beauty is very subjective. I also learned form her me that fighting your nature is very hard, in may case I am referring to ADHD. When she was a puppy, we took her to obedience classes. Some things stuck, most did not. She is well behaved, when she is not overexcited. She gets overexcited a lot. When meeting new people, she gets so excited that she jumps on them. When she smells something new, she just much try it. If it a food, she will do her best to get to it. If it is a new toy within her reach, you bet she will chew it. I am still learning from Bella to be less impulsive and do things in moderation.
Another thing I learned from Bella is that life is not fair, or that in my house it is better being a dog than a human. Few years back, my mom received her passport and left the open FedEx envelope on the table. The envelope had that "new passport" smell (glue). Bella just could not resist it, so as soon as my mom left the room, Bella climbed onto the table and tore into the envelope and the passport. My mom had to reschedule her trip. But when she did get go abroad for a week, Bella was so anxious that she chewed through the cushion of the leather couch. And you know what punishment she got - NONE! She just got new chew toys. And my mom got a new couch. How is that fair? Bella also gets to sleep whenever she wants, she gets to play when she wants to, there is no homework she has to do, and no one yells at her for leaving her poop on the ground – I have to pick up after her. But I have to hear it every time I did not fully flush like it is the end of the world "how many times do I have to... blah blah blah".
But the most important lesson I learned from Bella was about sibling rivalry, which prepared me for having sisters later on. When we got Bella I was so happy. I could not wait until we got home and I could play with her, and it would be perfect. That lasted until I saw how much time my mom was spending with her "to make her comfortable in the new home and house train her". I am not proud that I was jealous, but that experience did make it easier for me when my sisters were born and my mom was spending a lot of time with the babies. By then I knew what to expect.
As Bella is getting older, I am getting older too. As I got older I assumed more responsibilities taking care of the dogs. As Bella is getting older, her health is not as good as it used to be. I know that the time I already spent with her is longer than the time we have left. And one day, hopefully not soon, she will be gone. And than, she will teach me about loss.
Between all of the gifts that I have ever received was a telescope that I got about 4 or 5 years ago. It is massive, about 4 feet long, and 8 to 9 inches wide. I love space and everything about astronomy, and it is one of the things that I would enjoy doing as a career. So with my telescope I have had the opportunity to see many things that are far away up close. I have seen Satur, my favorite, Jupiter, the moon, Venus, Mars, and we attempted to see a comet. On a camping trip ac couple years ago, we brought our telescope, and looked at many stars in the sky. My favorite part about star gazing is that it is mesmerizing, and it gives you a sense of being alone, but not at the same time.
One of my there favorite gifts was my birthday gift. My birthday is in March. So about 5 years ago, I kicked my older brother out of my room. I got to take down all his trophies and cricket posters. Than I got to paint my room my favorite color, purple. Now, my room is pretty packed with legos, books, posters, drawings, and trophies.
I have received and given many different gifts throughout my life, but the one that really stands out to me was when I got my first phone for my birthday 3 years ago as I was starting middle school. This was a surprise because I had never gotten one before even though I had asked many times. Most of the birthday gifts I’d gotten before that were quite small compared to this, such as a dress or a game. Although I’ve gotten better phones after that, my first phone was the one that really stood out.
The phone was the best thing I had ever received because it was also the most useful thing. The things I used to get before this were all things that I didn’t use that often, but the phone really stood out because this was something I could really use. It enabled me to keep in touch with my friends, both current and the ones from elementary school. Now whenever I am buying a gift for someone, whether it be for their birthday or something else, memories of the day I got my first phone always come back to me.
The best gift I ever received was this new laptop when I was around 11. Back then, I used to be into video games and tech so I needed a portable device for my gaming needs. Although I had a desktop, I enjoyed my time with the laptop much, much more because it was so much easier. It was an HP Pavillion laptop. It had an awesome black finish on the outside and shiny silver plating on the inside. The track pad was smooth and responsive. The keys had an awesome click to it and were well designed. I loved the laptop and I still have it. It was the first piece of tech that I received that was my own. The desktop that I was talking about before was actually shared by me and my brother. So, it was amazing to have my own personal laptop. It was pretty fast and precise so I was able to play most of my games, such as Minecraft, on it. All I had to do was plug in my wireless mouse and a set of gaming headphones and I was ready to go. I wasn't restricted to a desk and chair. I could just go and sit on the couch or on the bed if I wanted to be more comfortable. This new laptop provided me with a bunch of new options and choice which I didn't have before.
ReplyDeleteI got it for my 11th birthday and it was the best birthday present ever. Since I spent so much time with it, it helped me learn how to type faster and I learned more about the computer. I learned how to manage files and work a computer. It helped enhance my knowledge of new technology and in a way, it provided me with a new device to experiment on. I learned how to write simple code and even some programming. The computer was so versatile that I could even download word and powerpoint so I got to use it for school work as well as just playing video games. It became a place for me to save my stuff and a place for me to enhance my knowledge. I did share the laptop with my brother sometimes but it would just be where I let him borrow it. It was basically my own but he was able to use it if he really needed it. Over the years I got a new laptop and new technological devices but none of them will be as special as my old pavillion. It had most of my memories and even though it isn't up to date with the current tech standards, it is still an amazing system. Even through all these years of use, it still is in working condition. I will admit that it has a few scratches but they don't really make a major difference. Now I use my new laptop more since it is faster and easier to work with but it will never be the same as my old laptop. Every time I open the screen of that pavillion, I am hit with nostalgia, remembering the good old times of 5th grade.
The best gift I ever got (by a very long shot) would definitely be my little brother Anuj. I was blessed to have such a beautiful gift from God more than six years ago, on December 16th, 2010 (yes, he was a Boston Tea Party baby). I had always wanted to have a little sibling and was very lonely because I was the only child, which I guess was the reason why my parents had a second baby. My mom also used to joke about having a baby girl and thus making the gender ratio equal in our family, although that didn’t really happen when we found out during her pregnancy that the baby was going to be a little boy. But even now, the minority (Mom) still rules the house! ;-) Anyways, every evening and night I would always put my hand and ears against Mom’s growing belly to hear or feel Anuj kicking inside me, and I always used to ask Mom whether it hurt, to which she’d always reply, “Of course it does.” And since I used to sleep with my mom and dad then, every time before we all went to sleep, I used to sing for my little brother in the womb, which I guess contributed to his love for music. I just couldn’t wait for my brother to come into my life.
ReplyDeleteOn the day of my birth, I was about seven-and-a-half, and I still remember going to school late that day because I had to be with Mom and Dad at the JFK hospital where I was born. I was half-sleepy, and we waited a long time, but finally, at 8:32 a.m., Anuj came into this world. When my Dad came back, I was overjoyed to see his face for the first time as he showed me a little video of him. Then when he came into my arms, wrapped in snuggly blankets and a cute little hat, I felt like it was the most blessed moment I ever had in my life. His face was so cute and peaceful, and I just couldn’t contain my joy. But then I had to go to school, and though I was a little late, I was still early enough to be in time for “circle time” and announce the birth of my newborn brother. Then, that evening, we went back to the hospital to see my brother again. And that night, as I sang an Indian Classical song for him, he smiled for the first time in his life—and that too, in his sleep!
From that day on, every day was a blessing to me. Almost every weekend I’d feed him milk on my lap in the couch, and I’d always gently pet him and talk to him in that high-pitched sweet voice that parents tend to talk to their babies to. In a way, I almost became like a second father to him, and in fact, I’m more of a role model to him than even my parents sometimes. Over the years, as he learned how speak and crawl and walk, he started calling me by the Gujarati word for “older brother”, “bhaya,” and he got so used to it that he still calls me that to this day! Now, he’s grown up to be an amazing kid with lots of energy and passion, although I’ll admit that often we do get into lots of fights and arguments when we play together and while I’m doing my homework. But most importantly, he’s the first one to come to me when I’m feeling sad, and the first one to ask why and comfort me, so I know in him I always have a free shoulder to cry on. That’s why he’s the best gift I’ve ever had so far, and I know he’s going to be a star wherever he goes and touch the hearts of everyone he meets with his charisma. Plus, I can always trust him to be there for me and protect me no matter what. Who knows? He might even be my bodyguard one day!
By Snehil Agrawal:
ReplyDeleteThe best gift I’ve ever got was my phone for my birthday this year. Usually, I would expect a book or a video game, but not much more, and definitely not a phone. For years, I had asked for a phone, but the response was always the same. “No, no, no! You’re too young, you might break it, you don’t really need it, and it costs too much”, and so on. But when I finally got a phone last year, I was ecstatic. I didn’t care if it was my dad’s old phone, but only instead that I had a phone for myself. I took it with me everywhere, which led to its downfall. At a birthday party at a friend’s house, I was sitting on a chair that two kids promptly flipped over. As my phone fell out, the bottom half of the screen shattered, rendering the entire thing useless. When I asked my dad to replace the screen, he said it wasn’t worth it, and so I was phone-free again. Over the course of a year, I wondered if I would get another phone again. Soon, I just gave up and simply waited for whatever I would get for my birthday. On the special day, my parents handed me a tiny gift bag, and I became incredibly suspicious. No book I know would fit in there, and my parents usually let me choose the video game I wanted. Inside was a plain orange box. When I opened it, THERE WAS A PHONE! My very own phone! This wasn’t some old, used phone, but a new phone bought for me! My parents said they got it because of my recent grades, but I didn’t care.
Once I got my new phone, I was excited. Finally, I could get back with what I use to do: talk and text with my friends, play games, roam around on the internet and watch videos among other things. Now, I wouldn’t have to constantly nag my parents to borrow their phones, installing and deleting the apps I wanted to used so their phones wouldn’t get unnecessarily get bogged down. And it sure was a lot better than waiting for my laptop to slowly turn on, and even more so when my family and I are away from home.
The major benefit, however is that it isn’t a one-trick pony like some other gifts (such as gift cards or toys). If my calculator is out of juice or if I can’t find it, my phone and the calculator app is there. If I want to learn more about something I saw or heard, my phone and the Wikipedia app is there. If I’m stuck at the mall in a line on Black Friday, my phone and the games on it are there. If I want to take a picture of something cool I see, my phone and the Camera app are there. Simply said, I could use my phone for virtually anything. Just think of it as a smaller version of my laptop. If I had gotten something else for my birthday, (for example a gift card), it might only have one or two features that I would have no use for, or it might be of too little value to have any effect on my future, definitely unlike my phone.
Along with the all-in-one function of my phone, it’s also becoming more and more necessary in everyday life, and I’d need it. Teachers use Remind to text out info that I wouldn’t be able to get quickly or easily, and more and more homework is posted on teachers’ websites or Google classroom which I can easily find on my phone. Also, as I grow older, my friends will move away and the only way for me to talk with them would be o my phone.
All in all, the best gift I’ve ever gotten was my phone, for which I’ll be extremely grateful.
By Amitesh Arya,
ReplyDeleteA good gift is supposed to have meaning and show that the gift giver cares for you and really thought out the gift. This being said, the best gift that I received was a ping pong table. When I was in fourth grade, I went to this sleepover camp in Virginia that lasted a week. At this camp they had ping pong tables and I had a counselor who was really good at Ping Pong. During the second day I attempted to play ping pong against some of my friends and I lost miserably because they had previous practice playing Ping Pong. Even though I was losing, I was still having a lot of fun. Soon, the other campers got bored of playing Ping Pong and went to go play football or soccer in the big field, leaving the whole table to myself. I got the help of one of the adults and we put up one side of the table against the wall so I could practice alone. Everyday, while my friends were playing in the field, I just practiced playing Ping Pong in my free time. As the week was coming to an end, I had picked up pretty well on the basics of Ping Pong. The next thing I did was I asked my counselor to play a game against me so I could learn how to counter more advanced techniques and with the professional rules rather than the half made up recreation rules. I got destroyed by my counselor with me having 6 points and him winning with 21 points but I had a ton of fun playing Ping Pong.
The first thing that I did when I got back was that I told my dad about my adventures learning Ping Pong and he was thrilled to hear them. After I finished telling him, he told me about how he won a few tournaments in recreation centers in India playing Ping Pong which sparked a new idea in my head. I asked him if we could get our own Ping Pong table. Then, he thought about it for a minute but shut my idea down completely. I found this very odd because we have a good amount of space in our basement and he seemed to love the sport Ping Pong. I completely gave up on the idea and was unaware of how Christmas was right around the corner. Then, on Christmas morning my dad dragged me downstairs and showed me the big Eastpoint box with a brand new table inside. with a 4 pack of Prince table tennis paddles and ping pong balls. I was thrilled to see that and we spent to whole next day assembling it and playing on it. My dad showed me how to perform certain serves and returns. He also taught me the art behind spinning a ball making it bounce unexpectedly on the opponents side, in turn making it much more difficult to hit. I still play on the same table a lot and it is a ton of fun, now I can beat my dad and anyone else at the local YMCA in Ping Pong.
Out of the countless gifts I have received in my life, the best one would definitely be this robotic kit called LEGO Mindstorms EV3. Now, I know the name LEGO suggests that this is a childish toy, but it is exactly the opposite. The kit contains unique software like color, touch, and infrared sensors along with with building blocks that LEGO is so famous for. Using these materials, you can construct robots and program them via computer, so that your mechanical creation can carry out simple tasks.
ReplyDeleteBack then, I loved building LEGO sets. I would purchase at least one kit every month, and eventually my room would be filled up with these creations, ranging from office buildings to Star Wars battleships. I also liked robots and basic computer programming. When I was free during weekends, I would go on a website called Hour of Code and spend an ample of time there. Anyways, I was at a store one day when I noticed the kit. On the very top shelf, there stood gigantic box with spider wrap security. But all hopes of purchasing the product disappeared into thin air when we took a look at the price tag. The LEGO Mindstorms was about three hundred fifty dollars, and this caused my parents to promptly deny my request. They said that I was only excited about the toy right now, and it would be a waste of money if they bought it, eventually sitting on the top of the shelf collecting dust. Ever since that moment where I first got to know about LEGO Mindstorms, I remember asking my parents for it almost every single day. I would try to convince them by showing them videos and providing facts to persuade them to buy it for me. But, my parents were always firm about their answer: no, no, no, no, NO!
Finally, after an entire year and a half requesting for the robot, my dad and I finally made an agreement. This was the summer of 2015, and I was about to take the test to get into the Gifted and Talented program. I convinced my parents that if, and only if, I pass the test, they would buy me the robot kit. In a way, this was the incentive that willed me to try my hardest on that test, resulting in success. Anyways, after that day, we waited another month or so for the score to come via mail. When I found out that I had passed the test and was now part of Gifted and Talented, I was so excited at the realization that not only was I part of the program, but also going to get the LEGO Mindstorms! My parents also kept their word. Immediately, they went to the nearest toy store to see if they have the product in stock. Unfortunately, they didn’t, causing my parents to look everywhere for it. After spending hours without any luck, they went to the Toys R Us at Times Square and bought my dream toy home.
This gift was certainly the best, as it was a combination of two of my favorite hobbies at the time. I was really into LEGO and robotics, and this was the perfect thing for me. I was eager to prove that my parent’s theory of how sooner or later, Mindstorms will just sit there collecting dust was incorrect. So, from the very day I received the robot kit, I made sure to put it to full use, playing with it every chance I got. Even to this day, I try to find time on weekends to make something new from the kit. Nonetheless, it is not only an educational item that I cherish, but also a reminder of all the rewards you get for your hard work.
I have received and given lots of gifts over the years, both tangible and intangible. The item I chose to write about is a material item I received just over a week ago, but it’s not something I have been wishing for for years or anything like that. The best gifts are those that are a surprise, not something you asked for and then got. I’m not the kind of kid to beg for anything or make a list of all the things I want for a holiday. Quite the opposite, actually—I didn't ask for anything for my birthday or Christmas this year (which I consider to basically be the same celebration, since the dates are so close). My parents, however, didn’t want those days to pass by without getting me a gift. That, ladies and gents, was how I was given the greatest gift ever. On the 22nd of December (of this year, which is my birthday, of course), my parents gave me a small, black velvet pouch embroidered with golden letters to open. Inside there was a golden chain with a charm of that same hue in the shape of a military dog tag. Engraved into the charm were the words “Poppy & Me”, referring to the name I used to call my grandfather. On the other side was a hologram-like picture of my grandfather and I at a World War II convention. I’m about five or six years old in the photo with this oversized black hat on that he had bought me that day, and I’m on his lap. It’s my favorite picture of us together, and my parents surely knew that when they had the necklace made. My grandfather and I had a very special relationship. Sometimes I would just sit on his lap or near him, and we could bond without having to use words. He had a laugh that made you want to laugh too, he was an extremely hard working man who worked until he physically couldn’t get up anymore, he was goofy and wonderful with kids, and an overall amazing person who deserved to live much longer than he did. I’m actually starting to cry while typing this—I miss him so much, and it was so thoughtful of my parents to give me something to remember him by. My mom’s words when I opened the pouch were, “You can keep Poppy close to your heart”, both literally (when I wear the necklace) and emotionally. As I mentioned previously, the custom-made necklace wasn’t an item I asked for (not that I even asked for anything). I didn’t even know that it was possible to make something like that. Therefore, I was amazed at the necklace’s beauty and the thoughtfulness of my parent’s gift to me. It meant so much more than the newest phone or gaming system that’s on most people’s wish lists. I’m going to cherish the necklace, because there’s nothing in this world that can be a better gift than that.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePresents are the utter core of excitement for most people during times like Christmas or New Year’s. Most of the gifts that I have ever received are ephemerally implanted in my memory; before long they wisp away from my attention like a mere breeze in a forest. However, there have been a few gifts that will probably be forever imbedded in my mind. The best gift that I ever received was a book called “If Only I Had a Green Nose.” As strange as it may seem, this short book that I read years ago has given me a lesson that I have remembered for all these years. I don’t remember when I received it - all I know is that the overlooked children’s book that is now wedged between old toys in my basement was a gift given by a older cousin of mine. It was more so of the lesson that I took away from it rather than the actual book that was a gift for me.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t really bother to read that book for a few months. However, on one typical first grade day, I was going about rummaging through a literal mound of books for a book report I had to do for homework. Another bundle of books lying nearby caught my attention, as I slowly noticed that those books were gifts from my cousin. After a long time of judging them by their covers, like any young kid would do, I chose out a book, solely due to it’s colorful cover that appealed to me. In it, a human named Eli made these “Wemmicks” (small, wooden, human shaped dolls.) Eli made all of them distinctively different - no Wemmick was like another one. One day, a few of the Wemmicks decided to start a trend - to have green noses. In a little store, everybody went and had their noses painted green. The main character however, didn’t follow this trend; he got looked down upon often, but he still stuck to the fact that everyone was unique and had to stay that way. From then on, every one or two weeks, a new trend would arise: first green noses, then yellow noses, then pink noses, then red noses, etc. Before long, the main character of the story got caught up in everything and started painting his nose too. (I’ll skip to the end of the story to cut it short.) Before long, the main character forgot his original appearance, as everybody had the same colored nose. After some time, he decided to consult Eli, who explained to him that everybody was different, and shouldn’t be compared to others.
At the time, I didn’t understand the meaning behind this weird sounding book much - it wasn’t your normal fairy tale or in a trouble-and-rescue format that most books for younger kids were. I quickly completed my book report and left the book sitting on my bed. Later on, I understood what I had to take away from the book. This short book taught me that your outer appearance/items won’t matter in the long run. It won’t matter if you have $200 Air Jordans or not. It won’t matter if you don’t have those Adidas sweatpants or not. Eventually, there will be a new trend that everyone will be highly pressurized to follow, and once again you will have to buy new items, or paint your noses again, as in the book. This book has taught me that sometimes, everything isn’t about wearing items that are like everyone else’s. Sometimes, we have to value our differences and disregard these short lasting trends, that make us all similar, that we know are going to change sooner or later. Most of all, you have to appreciate who you are as a person, and not your appearance. Especially as I am in a middle school environment where trends play a large role, this lesson has been really important to me. This book itself is a great gift, but the lesson that the book gave me is the best gift that I have ever received.
Gifts are great to give and receive. I will be writing about two because I am so satisfied to have both. One of the greatest gift I have gotten was my tablet. I got my new tablet on my 13th birthday and I was so happy. I had a tablet before too but it was really old and it lost may of its functions for example it wouldn't shut of correctly. I would often tell my parents and older brother that I needed a new device but they kept telling me I should be thankful that I even have a tablet. I have always wanted a phone but my parents think I'm too young to get one and once I go into high school I will get one. I adjusted to the fact that I wasn't going to get a phone but I really wanted a new tablet. And later on my wish came true. My tablet is so helpful. It is much faster than my older tablet. Although my tablet has entertainment purposes it is great for doing school work too.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, although I'm not sure if this is actually a gift, I was begging my parents for my own room. I used to share a room with my older sister which was very annoying. I wanted my own room where it would be just me, myself, and I. We have been sharing rooms for as long as I can remember. We would get in fights over the littlest things and we still do even with our separate rooms. My sister would boss me around since I'm four years younger. She thought she was the queen of the room which got me very mad. Soon enough, she used to stay up late because she had a lot of homework. This resulted in me also staying up because the light was always on. I would wake up cranky and tired. Or, she would wake up really early in the morning to do her homework and by putting the light on I would wake up. Sharing a room with my sister just resulted in me suffering. Sometimes I would be mad and annoyed or wake up really tired. I begged my parents for me to get my own room, but we had no other space. Finally,my parents decided to start construction in the attic and make it into two separate rooms. At last, after a year I have my own room! Now no one can boss me around, or keep me from sleeping. It's perfect!
Gifts are given frequently throughout the year, from Christmas to birthdays to random acts of kindness. Most gifts are only used for a short period of time, then soon forgotten, even though at the moment they seem like a big deal. But one gift I still use is my pair my headphones. I have received a pair of Sony headphones a few years ago on a random day sometime during the summer—perhaps in July or August. My parents had gifted me these headphones. Though they are not exactly the best or my favorite one of those I own, I still use it every day. Actually, I am using it right now as I type this up, listening to Demons by Imagine Dragons (though it is a few years old) at full blast, feeling the drums vibrate my body when the lead vocalist Dan Reynolds sings, “Your eyes, they shine so bright/ I want to save their light/ I can’t escape this now/ Unless you show me how.”
ReplyDeleteI enjoy listening to music often – actually all the time, though I legitimately have no musical talent whatsoever (I’ll be like the one kid that manages to fail a first grade music class). These headphones opened up the music world to me, helping me discover the many genres and the complexities of music. I get to listen to music that matches the mood I am at the moment, either listening to “On Top of the World” by Imagine Dragons when I’m happy or “Stressed Out” by Twenty-One Pilots when I’m stressed out or “Nightingale” by Demi Lovato when I’m sad or “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Steafni when I feel like laughing and etcetera. I personally like isolation. So, when given the headphones I was able to listen to music alone to the point where I am unaware of my surroundings, which is the best feeling of all.
In a way, by giving me the headphones, my parents have also given me privacy. I get to watch TV and random Youtube videos in peace and without disturbing the rest of my family, though it gets awkward when I start laughing out of nowhere if something funny occurs in the video. Music is kind of a private thing for me, something I do not like to share with anyone else because you can only completely immerse yourself in music when you’re listening to it alone, with the knowledge that no one else can invade upon your privacy.
Another way my headphones is one of the best gifts I've ever received is because it's multi-funtional. They serve as headbands. Each year I go through many headbands, either by breaking them or losing them. I can never real let my hair out since it’s what you would describe thick, curly (not the nice, pretty, bouncy curls but like dead rose thorns that blind people), unruly (since it’s pretty much its own living creature), and it is also suffering from an extreme case of frizziness. I’m forced to wear a pony tail or braid or a bun to keep my hair back and to keep my witch-like hair from scaring people away. At home I can let my hair out, yet keep my hair out of my face while enjoying music or watching random YouTube videos without the pain of wearing an actual headband.
The truth is that presents, I usually use and throw away. I use them but they don’t have a real “sentimental” value. I guess the thing that has the most sentimental value to me is my “A” necklace. My necklace was a present from my parents in the sixth grade. I didn’t really know what I wanted that year so I just said to my parents, “Surprise me.” I guess that they saw me a few months earlier, looking at some “A” necklaces as I was just bored and they were very pretty. So they bought an “A” necklace from Macy’s (where I was looking at the necklaces). It had little diamonds decorating it and it was on a sterling silver chain. I wore it everyday since until I went to India. In India I had it made into silver and now I kept that safe so it wouldn’t be lost or stolen when I take it off in places like gym.
ReplyDeleteThis a sentimental ornament to me in many ways. The most major reason why is because it showed to me my parents did pay attention to what I liked. Before that I thought they didn’t understood my hobbies and interests and my choice of accessories. But the fact that they actually paid attention to me checking out some necklaces--that’s a comforting thought.
Another reason it is important to me is that it’s a good thing to wear with anything. I don’t really have a lot of fancy things--casual is my thing. But this necklace is easy to pair with a baseball tee and jeans but also with a pair of shiny black heels and a formal black dress. This is the one accessory that I can pair with anything and everything.
Another reason is that I love it is because of my “ex”- paranoia. See I used to have this paranoia that everyone was judging me. See, you know how some accessories look good on you but their one downfall is that they just stick out and they make you feel like everyone is staring at you? Well that is the reason I stopped using--wearing accessories that stuck out. I used to go to school without any. But when I got this necklace I knew it would look good on me and it would not stick out and make me feel uncomfortable. So this necklace kind of helped me got over that paranoia. This another reason why it’s so important to me.
So you see my necklace means a lot to me other than just being a good fashion accessory. My parents kind of show cased their love for me through this necklace. It helped me get over my paranoia and it goes with everything I wear.
Looking back at all the great gifts I received in December over the years, I can think of two great gifts, and both I got on December 26th. 6 years ago my sister was born during that huge snow storm, but my sister's birth was not only a gift but a curse as well. Those of you who have younger sisters will know what I am talking about. However, 3 years before my sister was born, I got a puppy – Bella.
ReplyDeleteBella is a Boston Terrier, and a wonderful dog. She is very loving, always looking to sneak in a kiss. Having Bella did teach me a lot. She loves going outside, so much that she would get out of our back yard a lot when she was younger (luckily she does not do that anymore). From that I learned that leaving the house without letting anyone know where you are going can cause panic. In my opinion she is very cute, but others find her ugly. I learned that perception of beauty is very subjective. I also learned form her me that fighting your nature is very hard, in may case I am referring to ADHD. When she was a puppy, we took her to obedience classes. Some things stuck, most did not. She is well behaved, when she is not overexcited. She gets overexcited a lot. When meeting new people, she gets so excited that she jumps on them. When she smells something new, she just much try it. If it a food, she will do her best to get to it. If it is a new toy within her reach, you bet she will chew it. I am still learning from Bella to be less impulsive and do things in moderation.
Another thing I learned from Bella is that life is not fair, or that in my house it is better being a dog than a human. Few years back, my mom received her passport and left the open FedEx envelope on the table. The envelope had that "new passport" smell (glue). Bella just could not resist it, so as soon as my mom left the room, Bella climbed onto the table and tore into the envelope and the passport. My mom had to reschedule her trip. But when she did get go abroad for a week, Bella was so anxious that she chewed through the cushion of the leather couch. And you know what punishment she got - NONE! She just got new chew toys. And my mom got a new couch. How is that fair? Bella also gets to sleep whenever she wants, she gets to play when she wants to, there is no homework she has to do, and no one yells at her for leaving her poop on the ground – I have to pick up after her. But I have to hear it every time I did not fully flush like it is the end of the world "how many times do I have to... blah blah blah".
But the most important lesson I learned from Bella was about sibling rivalry, which prepared me for having sisters later on. When we got Bella I was so happy. I could not wait until we got home and I could play with her, and it would be perfect. That lasted until I saw how much time my mom was spending with her "to make her comfortable in the new home and house train her". I am not proud that I was jealous, but that experience did make it easier for me when my sisters were born and my mom was spending a lot of time with the babies. By then I knew what to expect.
As Bella is getting older, I am getting older too. As I got older I assumed more responsibilities taking care of the dogs. As Bella is getting older, her health is not as good as it used to be. I know that the time I already spent with her is longer than the time we have left. And one day, hopefully not soon, she will be gone. And than, she will teach me about loss.
Between all of the gifts that I have ever received was a telescope that I got about 4 or 5 years ago. It is massive, about 4 feet long, and 8 to 9 inches wide. I love space and everything about astronomy, and it is one of the things that I would enjoy doing as a career. So with my telescope I have had the opportunity to see many things that are far away up close. I have seen Satur, my favorite, Jupiter, the moon, Venus, Mars, and we attempted to see a comet. On a camping trip ac couple years ago, we brought our telescope, and looked at many stars in the sky. My favorite part about star gazing is that it is mesmerizing, and it gives you a sense of being alone, but not at the same time.
ReplyDeleteOne of my there favorite gifts was my birthday gift. My birthday is in March. So about 5 years ago, I kicked my older brother out of my room. I got to take down all his trophies and cricket posters. Than I got to paint my room my favorite color, purple. Now, my room is pretty packed with legos, books, posters, drawings, and trophies.
I have received and given many different gifts throughout my life, but the one that really stands out to me was when I got my first phone for my birthday 3 years ago as I was starting middle school. This was a surprise because I had never gotten one before even though I had asked many times. Most of the birthday gifts I’d gotten before that were quite small compared to this, such as a dress or a game. Although I’ve gotten better phones after that, my first phone was the one that really stood out.
ReplyDeleteThe phone was the best thing I had ever received because it was also the most useful thing. The things I used to get before this were all things that I didn’t use that often, but the phone really stood out because this was something I could really use. It enabled me to keep in touch with my friends, both current and the ones from elementary school. Now whenever I am buying a gift for someone, whether it be for their birthday or something else, memories of the day I got my first phone always come back to me.