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
_______________________________________________________________



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.

_______________________________________________________________


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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12 comments:

Nate said...

@justy: breath-taking scenery... :)

Nick said...

we share almost the same memories. My family and I used to go hiking on Table Mountain/South Africa during the summers often, for picnic or braais and we always had a great time together. You reminded me on it, thanks. I too haven't done it since many many years anymore. Time to go hiking again :)

Roger Poladopoulos said...

Sometimes, the memories of simpler times are the best!

Anonymous said...

cherish those memories my friend...amazing

Pat said...

That is a great family memory and you described it so well. I can see why your family enjoyed reading your paper!

p.s. That photo of you is adorable!

the island guy said...

@ Nate
Haha, it's been so long since I've been up there... I wanna get my breath taken away LOL

@ Nick
Sounds like fun Nick. Take me hiking there someday haha

@ Roger Poladopoulos
Yeah, sometimes simpler is undeniably better. Just gotta make sure it doesn't get boring haha

@ David Allen Waters
and... make new ones :)

@ Pat
Oh gosh. I was a silly little kid LMAO. I loved to dance and I loved those corndogs!

Anonymous said...

Wow, Justy, what a great memory! My family did lots together, too, and I cherish those times. Thanks for sharing.

Peace <3
Jay

Volker said...

I hope you get to go hiking very soon, I know I love it! Looking down from where you started and seeing all that was big so tiny. I've posted more that enough photos of my own experiences and there will be more. I hope you'll have many more of those experiences yourself! - V

rdsean said...

i miss hiking.. it's really fun and adventure.. you should try it often, exercise din yun.. :P

JJ Roa Rodriguez said...

love it... huh! never been to much of outdoors but if im there i give it my all to enjoy it...

JJRod'z

Moving with Mitchell said...

What great memories and how lucky you are to have them... and that family!

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