The Experiance of a Lifetime

Heart pounding, breath frozen, frightened, and eager, all of these feelings rushed through my veins as I sat there in mere terror. I was one of six contestants awaiting the results of the once terrifying interview, with so much on the line. Eager for the results, but afraid of the truth. Weeks earlier, I had written an essay. Surprisingly, mine, and three other of my classmates, had been chosen to interview for a trip to Washington D.C. The invitation to interview was something I had never expected. My writing style could only be described as sloppy and unorganized, never had I imagined winning an essay contest. Interviewing was not something I could call a skill but, merely a weakness. The day of the interview arrived, and I sat in terror, with adrenaline rushing through me. My name was called, I am next. Panicking, I stood up, walked to the door, I was prepared as I will ever be. In an instant, a last minute rush of confidence filled me, I became unstoppable. What ever convinced me to become confident, I will never know. Only the hand of God could of changed the direction I was heading. Speaking with confidence and clarity, I rocked that interview, daring them to ask me another question. Now sitting waiting in absolute terror. Was it enough? Did the last boost of confidence get me the interview? Would I be chosen? My heart dropped as I heard my name called. Joy and relief rushed over me like a wave. The feeling was surreal, I could not believe what just happened. The suspense was over, and all was well. My classmates, and I, we all won the trip. We represented Cimarron Electric Cooperative for the Oklahoma Youth tour. This is going to be a trip of a lifetime.

The weeks leading up to the trip were exhilarating, I could not wait. The idea to make new friends excited me, but also frightened me. Packing and preparing for this trip could not have hyped me up more. Arriving at the hotel to meet my future roommates, and soon to be best friends. I could have never anticipated the memories that awaited. That evening, there was a going away banquet. As all the students introduced themselves, looked around guessing who would become my new friends. The next morning, we left the hotel and lined up in alphabetical order according to last names. Lining up in alphabetical order was not a big deal, until it became the reason I met my first new friend of the trip. Being that my last name is Hansen, I was in the H row. This is when I met this girl, she was amazing. Words could not express her well enough, she was special. Her name, Shayden Hanes, we just clicked. Her and I related on so many levels, we talked from the moment we got on the bus to the airport all the way to our gate. I could not contain the joy that filled my heart. Later, when we arrived in Dallas for our connecting flight, I met another person, Caleb. At first he was a good guy, almost a friend, but I do not consider him a friend because of what the future would soon hold. My jealousy of him becoming friends with Shayden would eventually tarnish our friendship. This trip was full of wonder and new experiences, it also lead to new hardships and challenges in my social life. At that time I only saw the good and, was looking forward to the future. The uncertainty and excitement of the future is what kept me eager to move forward into the week, to see what other opportunities lie ahead.

Six in the morning, alarm buzzing, the first official day of the trip has begun! The feeling of excitement filled the air. I was ready to begin exploring our nation's capital with my new friends. Thoughts of the potential of my new found friendships filled my head. As we made our way to our first location, Arlington cemetery, the thoughts of friendship temporarily left my mind as I pierd out the window of the bus. Words cannot describe the mass beauty of the park were our fallen heroes sleep. While exploring this massive beautiful grave, I had more than just the eagerness the learn on my mind. The desire to build upon a friendship slowly crept back into my mind. Of course I wanted to explore and learn as much as possible but, I was most excited to make new friends and share these experiences with them. Soon, we made it to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, here I finally caught up with Shayden. It did not take long and we were talking. We shared a great experience here, as we got to meet one of the guards. After we visited Arlington cemetery, we traveled to the Newseum. A museum about the free press, our first amendment rights. As exhilarating as this museum was, I wanted to spend time with Shayden. Did not take long, she found me looking in awe of a piece of the Berlin wall. The wall was towering, one side covered in a vast coat of graffiti, the other plain as day. The Newseum was full of famous headlines from hundreds of years ago up to the present day. As these wonders unfolded before my eyes, a friendship was slowly blooming.

This friendship could only be described as indescribable. Our nations wonders were magnificent but, as the week moved on my focus soon changed. This girl, she was awesome. A great person whom I could call my friend. We were sharing so many experiences together. Such as, The Holocaust Museum, The National Spy Museum, and The Smithsonians. Both of us had the eagerness to learn, combined with the passion of our friendship. We became inseparable, soon to become best friends. Of all the great things from Washington D.C., she became the highlight of my trip. My essay, the nerve crushing interview, they were all worth it to meet her. I was so happy that I got picked to go on such an adventure of a trip, because our paths would have never crossed otherwise.At the height of our friendship, Caleb came into our world, my world was soon to be crushed, the friendship that had bloomed so beautifully on this trip suddenly began to fade. As a new person draws her attention away. It was obvious, our friendship was not actually fading. I was merely a jealous fool, attention from her was all I aspired. This jealousy lead to Caleb and I struggling to stay friends as we both barely got along. Soon the week was moving on. Countless memories were made but, one distinked evening really stuck in my mind. The sunset parade at the Lincoln Memorial. Our friend group, Shayde, Caleb, and I sat down. We watched as the soldiers marched across our view, as the sun set behind them. Caleb wonders off, we have no idea where he went. The parade was magnificent, and the sunset was even better. Mady, one of my classmates who also went on the trip, tagged along with Shayden and I. We walked up the mountainous steps the Abraham Lincoln's huge statue. Breathtaking could only describe the large size of the statue. We took several pictures and soon wandered down the steps towards the reflecting pool. Shayden and I sat down right next to each other, talking, laughing, and reflecting on the amazing day we had shared together. When at one moment we looked into each others eyes. At that moment my feelings for her changed completely. I felt something I have never felt in my life. She smiled and the feeling grew larger, I stopped myself and looked away not knowing what just happened. I wonder if she had felt the same way in the instant. The whole meaning of the trip changed in a moment. I found myself not exploring our nation's capital but, exploring a friendship. In this moment I knew, this trip was really a trip of a lifetime.

Returning home I reflected on this trip. Many lessons had been learned, most of which were personal. One is that this trip was much more than a tour of our nation’s capital. Yes, it was amazing to tour such historical sites such as, the Capital, The White House, and The Lincoln Memorial. I learned so much about our nation’s history, but what really sticks out when I really reflect on this trip, the friendships I made along the way. I made countless friendships with many people, but one person in particular really stuck out to me. She allowed me to see where the sun rose, and where the sun set. She inspired me to become a happier person, to strive for a higher level. It was my privilege to be able to share so many memories with her on this trip. Countless memories were shared, but internal struggles also arose. I admit that jealousy is a problem in my life and I did get jealous when other people took away attention from me. This trip allowed me to grow from this and, become a better person from those experiences when I did get mad. The lesson is learned, the exhilarating time that I had was amazing. Each moment lead to the next, until the moment I knew, Shayden and I would be best friends for life.