Max Baeza
Ms. Gardner
English 10H/Period 4
August 30, 2018
Photo Essay
Paragraph 1 (Past): Memories are a distinct part of who we are as people, triggered by things that catch our eye, or scenarios that seem familiar, may they be good or bad. There are often experiences that we undergo, which provide us with a sense of self; or in other words, they help shape who we are as people. An experience such as watching your baby take its first steps; or in my case, playing with my legos, with my small, innocent hands. When I was young, playing with lego was often an all encompassing solitary activity that kept me fascinated for hours, and the universe that i entered shrouded me in it’s stimulating cloak, and it didn’t want to let me out. There was nothing like looking through a brand new edition of the Lego magazine, which led to the sound of plastic paper crinkle as it slid through my fingers when I bought something new. Time stopped when I played with legos; these intricate, and meager little blocks allowed me to enter a whole new universe, a universe that I got to mold or shape in any way my creative mind wished for, whether it be a world of fantasy, love, or even warfare. Looking back on my experiences and interactions with Lego, has allowed me to realize that it’s contributed in a considerable way to the fun, and creative person I am today.

Paragraph 2 (Present): A dog is considered to be a man’s best friend, and in my case, that statement is entirely true. Finn, the image that you see above, is the light and joy that inhabits part of my life. Finn is my therapist; when I’m going through rough times, I know that he’ll always let me cry on his shoulder, or let me run my hands through his soft and silky fur. Even when I’m just doing homework, like I am right now, I know that he’ll always be sitting there, right by my side. Most of all, he’s simple. I know that there’s not an inch of evil in that dogs body, and that he would not deceive me in any way. Not only do I spend a large portion of my time with Finn, but I also volunteer at the Sonoma County Animal Shelter. I volunteer here because i thoroughly enjoy spending time with these misunderstood dogs. Even though I have to volunteer with my mother due to age requirements, I find that alone time with the dogs is internally rewarding for me. Just looking into their innocent eyes gives me a sense of relief, even joy.

Paragraph 3 (Future): When I’m an old man, I strive to have the amount of solitary time that I wish for. I hope to be able to read books, and flip through the pages with my old, wrinkled hands, but I also hope to bring out a more adventurous side, and skydive, as the wind flows through my receding hair. I hope to raise my children with care, just as my parents raised me. But I also hope to continue pursuing the solitary activities that I thoroughly enjoyed in my past, such as volunteering with animals, and hanging out with my dogs, just as I once did when I was a teenager. Although I enjoy talking, and spending time with my family, I would rather choose to spend time with myself, or talk to my dogs, and when I’m 75, I believe that I’ll feel the same way. I think I’ll feel the same way about books as well; it’s a calming, solitary activity that relieves all of my worries for a short amount of time, and sucks me into the warm, and thin pages like a black hole, allowing me to explore it’s vast universe. These activities that I enjoy will most likely stick with me until the day I cease to exist, because they are part of what defines me as a person.
