First Time Swimming

Mom said, “It’s time you learned to swim. I’ll book you into swimming lessons.” I was worried that the water might be too deep. What am I going to do? I thought. Then I had an idea. I know. I’ll hide.

"The water is going to be deep and then you are going to swim like a fish in our pool at the new apartment we are moving to," said mom. I wasn't sure and still worried but I remembered my teacher is helping me. "Oh no! I don't know the teacher, either. Maybe he or she is rude. Yeah, but my mother's going to tell the teacher if she's rude, I thought so I'm no longer worried.

"Mom, I have no goggles! "At the pool, they're selling them, dear," Mom responded. "Okay." We went to buy the goggles when we arrived at the pool and it was ten bucks, so my mom was fine with that. I went in to get in line with my class. I was amazed. Yeah! I haven't seen any such pool in my entire life. I was so excited. I was so happy when my class began the lesson because the teacher was very good. I can see the trophy he had put for himself in a big glass of his achievements. I had even searched him out and I found out he was placed in the Olympics. At the start of the lesson, we did over arms. Then we did the backstroke and the teacher announced that the backstroke helps the muscle to stretch across your back. Lastly, we did a windmill. Finally, we played Marco polo.

It was my bedtime later and my mom talked to me before I went to bed, "J,"

"Yes mum."

"Are you afraid to know how to swim?

"Why mom,

"Listen to the teacher, don't play hard with your friends and kick your legs, okay?”

"Okay, Mom."

“Because starting next week the teacher announced the upcoming race. It will probably.. wait he just sent it, he said it will be Saturday the 23 which means the next Saturday, not the upcoming one. " My throat felt heavy. I couldn’t swallow. I whispered to myself how can I possibly race against someone if I am just a beginner. But from this day on I went to my friend's house because she has a pool there. I practiced all day. And during our swimming lesson, I listened to mom and took everything seriously, and didn't play around. It wasn’t just me who was suddenly shocked to hear the upcoming race but there were some brave as a lion. They weren’t even scared a bit. Whenever I do the correct move I see the coach give me a good compliment. I take the compliment and move on.

RACE DAY

“You got everything hun?” I was rushing as my mom got into the car and was still waiting for me. I ran downstairs and got everything. When we reached the locker's room I could hear this weird sound and girls were talking and their voice was repeating. I went and changed quickly just to have time to practice before the race. Person after person started the race I was going in the fourth one. I wish I could change spots with someone but looking at my competitor I felt weak and doomed. It was my turn and my family was watching me and the girl suddenly swam so quickly I couldn’t keep up. She was doing crazy moves that I didn’t see in my whole life. I was breathing so hard I tried so hard to do anything. But I still couldn't reach her but she was suddenly at the finish line.

I felt disappointed at myself because I felt like I should have done better. But my parents were proud of me and how brave I was to overcome my fear of having to swim. After the race, we went to a Chinese restaurant where we ordered good food. And I felt better. The next day I felt better. I had fun with my friends before the day I moved to Somerset and the new school in Franklin Township. I started school in Hillcrest. It felt great meeting new people. Because from the day of the race till now I felt better and brave. And I have become the type of person who is confident almost at everything I do.