~*Real VS. Fake*~ #2

It was my second year of middle school when I worked up the guts to try out for cheerleading. I had no knowledge whatsoever of cheering. All I knew was that I wanted to get involved in my school and look pretty doing it:) Yeah, I practiced here and there, doing splits, jumps, yelling, smiling and trying to be as stiff as a board. A week of practice in a room full of about 100 girls. We stretched, we paired up, we practiced, we sweated for 3hrs everyday until day 5.

Dun, dun, dun!!!!! Oh my gosh. Here it is. The moment we all had been waiting for..."judgment day". All of the girls were split into groups and it was time to show the judges what we'd learned all week long. I was petrified! Group after group after group, and then me and my group. I had passed the first part of the tryouts that required showing our talents and abilities, or flexibilities. Now I have to stand on stage in front of 90 some middle school girls!!! The tryout cheer. The adrenaline. "Why?!" I thought to myself. "Cant I just show it to them (the judges) alone?" So, I began the cheer with my group and what happened?? I FORGOT THE MOVES AND THE WORDS! My whole world fell silent in my head. It seemed as if the room and everyone in it shut down and I was the focal point. All I remember is holding my mouth and thinking, "I'm not gonna make it, I'm not gonna make it." As I went to my seat I wanted to scream and cry and stomp like a kid that couldn't have her way. I pouted. My friends all did great. I would be the odd ball left out if they made the team and I didn't.

The final part of the tryouts. Who's gonna get picked out of 100 girls? They began the name calls and I blocked it all out, assured that my name was not on the list. To my surprise, as I was drowning everything and everyone out, I heard, "Tiffany Moore." I said "huh? WHAAAATTTTT?!! mE? AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!". In amazement and excitement I jumped up and screamed and ran in circles around the room. I could not believe it! I had to stop and make sure it wasn't a joke. Everyone was happy for me as well. The judges smiled and said they'd been watching me all week and saw the potential that i had to be a great cheerleader. To top it off, my dad had been watching the entire time through the glass window and gave me two thumbs up. What a day!! One of the best middle school memories I've always had:)

~*Real VS. Fake*~

I can remember the day I joined the gymnastics team. Oh to smell that gym again! All of the hard strenuous work, day and night, just to be the perfect gymnast. It all started with tryouts. I was undecided if I really wanted to join the team. I'd never really done any flips and twists...but I loved watching the Olympics! After discussing my love for it over and over with my friends, they edged me on and talked me into trying out. Unfortunately, I wasn't skilled enough and it caused me many bruises and hospital visits. But, after continuing to strive that whole week of tryouts; sweating, falling, crying and so on the judges saw my persistence and my fervor and decided that I might be a great gymnast one day. It was one of the best days of my life! I'll never forget when they called my name..."Tiffany Moore, congratulations, you made the team."

Dear Future Me…

We’ve been through a lot, you and me, and I just can’t wait and see

Where you’ll be in the next 5 years or so.

Now is good, but then will be great

Looking back from then to now

Wondering when and how

You made it to where you are.

Dream big, keep hope alive,

Laugh, smile, and cry,

Remember how you always got by

And you’ll survive.


I didn’t always see a clear view for you, but things are looking up.

The boundaries of your life are set: family, friends, home and church

Education, career and don’t forget the perks.

I hope all your dreams become reality, I hope you never give up,

I hope you keep first things first, I hope you continue to look up,

I hope you always look on the brighter side of things, I hope you stay humble,

I hope life treats you well, I hope peace and joy are ever before you,

I hope you live life in abundance, I hope you stay true.

Don’t forget to tell me how things are going when you get there.

I’ll be waiting to congratulate you for a job well done

And we’ll be together again to start our next journey on.