In the beginning...

I suppose it started when I was about seven years old. The gymnastics nationals were on TV, and I was completely captivated. My dad walked by and casually mentioned that he used to be able to tumble, so when I asked him to teach me he was caught a little off guard. After some begging he agreed, and I did my first standing handspring on the living room carpet as he spotted me. When I got good enough to pair it with a round off by myself, I was on top of the world. I spent hours in the front yard going back and forth, adding as many back handsprings as I could. When I was able to do five in a row I decided it was time to take it to the next level; I was going to flip. -- I sound like I am writing a college essay. I guess that’s what I get for being a senior in high school. Note to self, remember this is a blog. Anyways, My first few attempts I chickened out, but on the third try after my bhs I threw myself backwards as hard as I could, and when I opened my eyes my feet were on the ground! Nowadays I’m sure it was the ugliest whip/tuck ever completed, but I did it, and I was ecstatic. Later that night I went with my family to a park and I decided to show off my new flip. As soon as my feet left the ground I got scared, and ended up landing straight on my head. That day I vowed never to do a back flip again.