"Memories Last Forever, Experiences Happen ONCE."

58 Teams...

Numerous amount of games played in a season...

Numerous amount of hours put in during pre-season...

4 Teams come out with a new record of 0-0...

2 Teams are left standing...

1 Team comes out with what was on their mind since the first day of practice.

            Last year, around this time of year the boys were playing in the Final Four. As I sat their a text message came through to my phone. The boys were heading into their second overtime. The message, "how do the boys get so dang lucky." I sat their hesitating what to even reply. I didn't have an answer. Until, I final sent the truth "I don't know. But, I swear that is going to be us next year."
      For the past two nights and two days, I have been curled up in a little ball crying my heart out. I have cried with my sisters before we took our different routes after our game. I have cried with my mother hugging me through it all. It's not that I'm crying because we did not return with the gold ball. Although, that would of been a more happier ending to this incredible journey. It's the fact that I will no longer be hearing the laughs I'm used to, I will no longer be seeing the smiling faces, I will no longer have the same pranks, most of all I will no longer have my family by my side every summer and the five months of the school year.
      My emotions are up in a roller coaster. I know I'll be back on track simply because I know that life goes on. But, it's just so hard when I know for a fact that my house won't be a hotel anymore. That girls won't be staying the night. I loved and still do love this team with all my heart. They were the ones that got me through some rough patches in my life. Like Samantha said in hers. We used basketball as our get away. Basketball, has gotten me to a point where I forgave my parents ten years ago. Basketball, has taught me that when rough times come you got to keep pushing through because at the end of the day the sun will rise. Most of all, basketball was the one that took the word "hope" out of my vocabulary and brought endless "faith" in my world.
       Enough about that. I told the younger girls in the locker room Friday night that I could not find the right words to tell them. I told them if they want to know what was on my mind to read my blog where everything will be said as best as I can. Here goes nothing.
       THANK YOU! You made one of my dreams come true. Not only mine,but, also the six other seniors that spent numerous amount with your craziness. In the beginning of the season I felt so lost. You guys didn't know how bad I was. I always smiled every year during the season. But, in the beginning a smile wouldn't creep up on in my face. Simply, because I missed the other seniors and didn't want to be the leader. I didn't want you guys looking up to me. Because, I know I make mistakes as much as you guys. After time progressed everything started getting better. Attitudes were changing incredibly. Difference between you youngsters were going away. Most of all the laughter, smiles, and joyfulness was entering my heart again. You guys have came so far just as sophomores and I see a lot more talent in each and everyone of you than what we had. Thats what we Seniors had, we had work ethic to drive. Our work ethic and your help got us to where we ended a great season. Now, next year I want you to continue being close sisters, I want you to take the challenge to keep working hard, not complain when we have to run, to smile, to pick on Perkins keep him young, keep your head up when getting yelled at, and most of all have fun with one another time does fly. P.S. now it is time to find someone else who will wash your jersey's and clothes I'm going  miss being your teammate, sister, and most importantly your basketball mom.

  I know these individuals will strive even farther and believe even more. Next year, I'll be joining my other sisters from the past watching our little siblings going after the same thing we have all wished for. It's hard to explain. But, that is because my heart is bruised at this moment and it feels as if my videos can explain everything. It explains how close we actually are, how much work we put in, and how much time we spent together. Four years of Holbrook High School is now over. I will miss every single one of those wonderful individuals and most of all I will miss the fatherly figure we have on the team. Mr. Greg Perkins. Who is my "it is what it is" neighbor. I will truly miss this man as well as the rest of the team. Like Sam said he has sacrifice so much for us. He deserved to go to Glendale with us and most likely he will end up bringing something marvelous to Holbrook High some day. No words can describe how much he actually means to us. I guess before I write a whole novel I'll leave it to this. Kia Kaha. Keep everything going and I'm glad I didn't get a gold ball because the memories and experience are more rewarding to me than anything!

"Faith Vs. Hope"

            Hope “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.” Faith ”complete trust or confidence in someone or something.”

            Although, the definitions came from Google they both live up to what I know true about them more than ever now.

            It first started when my cousin was pregnant at sixteen years old. None of my family here were surprised. Simply, because we knew how bad her emotional state was with her parent’s divorce, brother’s deportation, mother’s marriage, and father’s abandonment. I always thought I had a hard life just from a parents divorce. That was until I saw my only aunt that lives here having way more trouble with her kids.

            Well, what was done was done. A month later we found out my cousin was going to have girl twins. Of course, we had to support her through it all. The due date was set around basketball season. It was only my freshman year I was still trying to get used to the whole “High School” deal. September came along and my cousin had her doctor’s appointment. Not to offend anyone she decided to go to Winslow for her checkup. Out of all the places she picked Winslow, Arizona. They told her everything was fine and that she was still due in December around my brother’s birthday. September came along and my cousin started to get pain. They took her to Flagstaff. Here we got the news that one of the twins has past away and that the other will do the same if they do not get her out. A couple hours later my premature niece came into this world.

            Anahi Mungarro. That was her name. Sad part was my cousin could not hold her like others do when they first give birth. They put her through test and other things. At the end they had to fly her to the Children’s hospital where she spent the first three months of her life. Luckily, my cousin’s boyfriend lived down in the valley so she had support there. After three months in November they finally released Anahi to her mother to take her home. After months of fighting for her life she was able to enjoy the warm air. Until, what do you know her parents got in a fight around December and my brother and I had to drive to valley to bring home my cousin and niece.

            It was basketball season and they ended up taking up my whole room. I was mad in the beginning. Until, I realized the amazing gift god has given me to help me become stronger as an individual at the end. I saw my sixteen-year-old cousin struggling. I would help her with my niece feed her, change her, put her to sleep.  Although, for two years I kept hearing the same thing from doctors she’s not going to make it. I heard that three times.

            The last time was my sophomore year basketball. My brother came to practice wanted to take me to Flagstaff. I asked “why?” His reply, “they flew in Anahi to Flagstaff they said she is in horrible condition they don’t believe she will make it.” I looked at my brother and Perkins and told them “ I’m not going.” I got home that night and I knew deep down in my heart she was not going to die, I knew for a fact she was stronger, and that I didn’t need to leave practice because I knew it was some what of a lie.

            Here I am. Waiting for a couple day’s to past by to finally play in Glendale Arena. The story that had to do with my niece was to explain exactly how I learned how to have faith in things while others just hope. The story can go on and on about the wonderful gift that awaits for me in Phoenix. I grabbed faith from hearing the words “she’s not going to make it.” I can’t really explain what I really want to point out. But, one thing never let hope take the best of you. Always have faith because who knows you could still be seeing your niece growing up and or you could be playing in the dream place four other teams want to be at. Keep believeing!

"Young, Wild, and Free"

            Many times we have been told, “you can’t do that, you’re to old, and or to big.” We’ll we can either take it in and agree or we can do the opposite and really YOLO!

            In the beginning of 2013 I took a road trip to Winslow. For two reasons, one reason was because I needed new kneepads for basketball, and the second I wanted to hang out with my friend Luis Petete. I met Luis through Search in St. Michaels last March. Must I say he has always been there for me no matter how far apart we are and no matter how long it takes us to talk to one another again. He has told me that once a friend always a friend. Which has became true. Well, anyways after buying my kneepads we met up at McDonalds. To my surprise, I met Sabrina, I believe that’s how you spell it. In the beginning I thought it was his adopted sister or something. It turned out to be his girlfriend that I have never heard of until that day!

            All three of us ordered. I paid for my food while they paid for theirs. We went through the door that led to the playground. Yes, we sat in the playground room. We didn’t even have a young child with us! But, it’s okay it didn’t stop us one bit. As we took a seat we started talking about stuff. They would ask how school was and how things went down in the H-town. After, asking their questions I started to know Sabrina by asking her what she does. I came to learn she helps at the retirement home or nursing home. One of those two maybe I didn’t learn that much besides the fact she takes care of elderly people. Then in the middle of our conversation we had a pause in it just so we could enjoy our food.

            As I was drinking my Sprite, I was the one who had the clear view of who goes up the playground. Luis and Sabrina had their backs towards the opening of the stairs that you have to climb through. Out of nowhere I see an older man maybe in his forties or thirties. All I could tell was he was way to old to be going in the playground. I tapped on the table and gave my two friends a signal to turn around. They turned around and we began to watch this older man work his way through the playground. The funny thing was that it seemed as if he was looking for his son, which was already at the bottom because he took the slide. His son looked at us at pointed at his father or grandpa which ever it may have been. He pointed, covered his mouth, and started to laugh.

            The man reached the slide and we all thought included the little boy that he was going to take the slide to get back down. Nope we were wrong. He turned around and climbed down the steps again and the little boy scared him when he came down and began to laugh again. Luis, Sabrina, and I smiled at each other and began to laugh. We weren’t laughing because the old man. We were laughing because we saw how much love the man has for the child because he didn’t let anything stop him to playing with him. He didn’t care what others would think of him and he didn’t let his age stop him.

            Just yesterday, we came back from Chinle and we stopped at Burnside. Teyah, Nasa, and I decided to go down the slide in their playground. This was the second time I did this in that particular playground. The first time was with Brittany who hit her head going up. We didn’t care though, we just did it, and enjoyed it as much as we could. I think that once we are told that we are to old or can’t do certain things we sometimes let it get to us and make it true. But, I believe that we can still enjoy the little things we did as little kids, we just have to put the world aside and do it. Just like the older man with his son or grandchild, or the older people in the Superbowl commercial. 

"For the First Time"

            As we grow older we never realize the thing’s we do. I mean we all have a routine. I know for a fact my routine is wake up, get ready, go to school, and well go home. That is the everyday life for typical teenagers. But, when winter comes around it becomes wake up, get ready, go to school, now it’s basketball practice after school (depending on day, might be a game day), and then you go home. Yes, we all have the routine. We also have our hobbies. There is in my case making videos, listening to music, watching movies, shooting around, and well there are other thing’s I like to enjoy. Others though have different interest whatever the case may be there is one thing I barley took notice of.

            It wasn’t until I found the video of when I went to Rocky Point that this thought came to my head. I never had been to a beach before. Until, Bethany and Erin invited me to join them in their adventure along with my brother. Of course, I agreed to take some days off of school in order to enjoy three or four (I don’t remember) wonderful days in Mexico. Plus, they needed translators and Bethany never been out of the country before!

            As we arrived to Erin vacation shack it was to late to go to the ocean because it was three in the morning and pretty dark outside so we waited for the day to come. When sunset arrived we walked ourselves through others peoples backyards. I took one look down and the most disturbing was right in front of me! There was a fish skeleton in the middle of the road! Erin said it was a typically scene for her since she goes down to Mexico often. Anyways we arrived and must I say it was breathe taking I have never seen anything so beautiful (besides Justin Bieber.) The sound of the waves, the seagull’s, and the amazing shells lying around just took my heart away.

            Erin suggested that we should check the water to see if it was warm enough to walk in. As we went closer the tide came in and to our concern it was warm enough to go in deeper. I was so excited because this was the first time I even touched ocean water! As we took our sandals off and got our clothes off (bathing suits) were worn! I decided I wanted to capture this moment because I knew it would be awhile for me to come close to salt water again. As we went farther and farther out the more I knew it was going to be hard to leave such a peaceful environment. And I was right the days went by the swimming, shopping, and fun came to an end. We packed our bags and took off back to the desert. And that was the end of my very first time swimming in an ocean or stepping foot in the big blue sea!

            Now, that is why I chose the song For the First Time in my video. Simply, because everything we have been doing as a routine we have done it by trying it and giving it a shot. Even realizing we wouldn’t be walking right now if we didn’t take our first steps. “First time” is part of our life. I mean we have had our first tooth, our first words, when we first shot a basket, or to even catching our first fish, riding the bus for the first time! The list can go on and on. But, now we are so close to graduate that we will start trying to new things again! Like our first college class, our first car bought by us, the first apartment, and so on and so on. That is life, we grow and experience and we learn. But at the end we always end up loving the things and memories we decided to try. So what is your favorite memory you enjoy that you did for the “first time?” I know mine was seeing the beauty of the ocean.