Sunday, September 25, 2011

Hiking Up Memories


Taken the last time we went hiking.
March 31, 2007

About three months ago, I was doing some summer cleaning when I came across a paper: an old college assignment. 

During my freshmen year of college, I had to write about a family tradition for my English 100 class.  I thought it would be awesome to write about hiking with my family.  After pondering over why I loved hiking with my famiy, I wrote something simple yet meaningful:


Hiking Up Memories
Written on January 29, 2008
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I will always remember going on long hikes with my family.  I was in the first grade when we first discovered the hiking trail on Schofield near Kolekole Pass.  Since then, we have climbed to the top countless times.  I have probably hiked up that trail more than the number of times I have done my own laundry.


There are many things that make hiking a family activity that I will always remember.  Racing my older brother to the top, enjoying snacks with my family, and making sure wild pigs don't attack us are some of them.  Most importantly, it helps bring me closer to my family.  Reaching the top is something we accomplish together.


Reaching the top is always the best part of the hike.  Butterflies and dragonflies flutter about and the clouds roll along in the blue sky above.  All around, the bushes and wild grass swing side to side with the calm breeze.  Looking down one side of the mountain you see the town of Wahiawa and the pineapple fields.  On the other side, you can see the beach and the ocean.  I feel like the king of the world up there; yet at the same time, it is humbling to see how small you are compared to everything else.

Once when we went hiking, my aunt Remy followed along.  She brought along a video camcorder and recorded us hiking to the top.  I remember thinking to myself that I will probably watch that video someday and laugh at myself. 

I was right.


When I look back and watch the video, it makes me laugh to see how silly me and my siblings were as we hiked up the mountain that day.  I hope that my future is filled with fun adventures, just like when I go hiking with my family.

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My little brother walked into my room and saw the paper on my bed.  He asked if he could read it.  I said sure and he eagerly grabbed the paper and went into the living room.  I heard my little brother, sister, and my dad laughing as they read my paper. 

A few weeks later, my sister read the paper again.  I could see the smile on her face as she read it.  She told me afterwards that she enjoys reading it. 

I know why.  It's the same reason why I enjoy reading it:  We had fun going on those family hikes.

I miss going hiking up there.  The last time I went hiking there was when I about to graduate from high school (around the time that I came out to my dad).  I have a feeling that we'll be going hiking up there sometime soon.  I'll keep my fingers crossed.



Me dancing while eating a corndog.
I look so silly haha.
Taken from the video that my aunt Remy took.

P.S.  This is the same hike that I mentioned in A Memorable Graduation


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