Fast Food

When I was young, fast food was a big part of my childhood. My parents introduced me to McDonalds at a very early age; I was only three years old when I discovered my very first addiction, Chicken Nuggets. When I took my first bite of that sweet tender juicy chicken nugget, I was instantly hooked. My parents never told me how unhealthy fast food was; they would just buy it for my sisters and I. Don’t get me wrong, we ate home-cooked meals all the time but I just had to eat fast food a couple times a week or I would throw a fit. As I started getting older I started realizing how unhealthy fast food was but it didn’t bother me; the only thing that mattered to me was how delicious it was. I remember going out for a run with my cousins to get some exercise because he wanted to lose weight but then we would go eat Toppers or McDonalds or at some other type of fast food restaurant because we would be starving after. At that time, we knew fast food was not healthy and it certainly was not going to help us get into better shape but we didn’t care; all we cared about was eating a delicious slice of pizza, or a big juicy burger.

Now that I am older and much wiser than I was before, I am starting to stay away from fast food as much as I can. I still eat it here and there because it is rather difficult to just quit cold turkey. I definitely do not depend on it like how I used to; however, I still reward myself every now and then. My family likes to go out to restaurants occasionally; like when it is my sister’s birthday or anyone else in my family. I am honestly glad I try to stay away from fast food. I recently just started eating less of it a month or so ago, and I feel great! Like I said, it is difficult to just quit cold turkey; so I decided to eat smaller portions. For example, when I used to go to McDonalds I would always get: 2 McChickens, large fries, and an Oreo McFlurry. Now when I go, I only get 1 McChicken, Small fries, and a bottle of water. I know it’s still not very healthy but I would say its way better than I used to eat. I am currently taking a Health and Fitness class at Oxnard College to help me eat better and get in better shape for soccer. I feel like once I let go of fast food for good, I’ll be able to play to the best of my ability. I hope to accomplish my goal of not eating fast food by the end of this year. I know it will not be easy; but if I really set my mind to it, I will be able to accomplish my goal.

Past, Present, and Future

 

The past eighteen years of my life have been amazing, it all started with my childhood. I was born on the 12^th of June in 1994 in Camarillo, California. I don’t remember much about my first 3 years of life besides me crying all the time and wanting to be in my mother’s arms. When I was 4 years old my dad put me in t-ball, but I hated it and would cry at every practice. He eventually got tired of it so he decided to put me in soccer, the sport mostly everyone in my family played when they were young. I immediately fell in love with it. My dad was a huge part of my childhood; he was always there for me whenever I needed something. Whether if it was about school, soccer, or any random question; he would be there to help me out and give me advice. My parents got divorced before I was born so I lived with my mom. She is the woman who put a roof over my head and clothes on my back. I grew up in a house full of women; it was my mother, grandmother, my two sisters, and I. Living in a house full of women taught me a lot about how to treat women. My mom always told me respect is one of the most important things. When I was young I certainly was not the biggest fan of going to school; the main reason was because I had to wake up early every day. I didn’t get bad grades or get in trouble, I just did not like going to school. That was until high school came; those were some of the best years of my life. The best part about high school was playing on the soccer team with all my friends who I have been playing with since we were little. Our greatest moment was making it to the CIF Finals our senior year, but we were heartbroken when we lost 2-1. After that day, we all said we want to go to Oxnard College to play soccer together and hope to make it to the final again but actually win it this time.

My present is going great. I am currently a student at Oxnard College, hoping to make it somewhere in life. I spend my days going to college, coming home to help my mom out with whatever she needs, helping my sister raise my 5 year old nephew, and playing soccer. As you can see, I still play soccer; it remains the 3^rd most important thing in my life behind family and education. My relationship with my dad has change quite a bit; he’s not around much anymore ever since he found himself a new girlfriend. He still goes to my soccer games to support me, but that’s pretty much it. In these past few months I have learned so many things my dad did when I was too little to know what was going on, but I don’t really want to get into that subject. I still live in the same house I have been living in since I was born; still with the same women who I have always been living with; mom, grandma, both sisters and now, my nephew has joined me as the other male in the house. Unfortunately, I am still unemployed. It’s tough finding a job around here but I am not giving up. Since my father is no longer in the picture, I figured it is time for me to step up and support my family. Even though my sisters are older than I am, I still look out for them. Life is tough, but if you really want something you must work hard and you have to earn it. I believe hard work and dedication is going to get me through college and help me become successful.

Ever since I was a little boy, I have always imagined my future to be bright; and to this day, I still picture myself being successful in the future. I hope to be either a police officer or a firefighter. I want to help people and make them feel safe, someone who people look up to. I picture myself being wealthy and happy. I will repay my parents for everything they have ever done for me as well as the rest of my family. I hope to have a family of my own one day; a beautiful wife and 3 or 4 beautiful children. Before settling down with my life and having a family of my own, I hope to still be playing soccer at a university and eventually professionally but if that doesn’t work out, I will become a firefighter or a police officer or at least have a great paying job so I will be able to support my family when I do decided to settle down. The world is full of mysteries and unfortunately nobody can tell the future, so who knows what I will be doing with my life years from now. All I can do is work hard to the best of my ability and try to accomplish all my goals, and make my dreams come true. I am excited to see what the future has in store for me.