it wasn't about me, it was only a stone in my shoe

I have been thinking about what I can put on here for the past day and I must admit I am perplexed.  Do I use this as a way to write creatively, or do I just post the mundane details of my existence? Will I really care about whether I have forgotten to return college swim coaches' calls for the third day in a row, or should I take advantage of the blank space in which I am writing to fill it with my most precious thoughts?

Hmmmm.

I like to write in circles.  For me, a reference to the beginning of a piece of writing toward its end reminds the reader why they are there.  There is nothing more satisfying than coming to a conclusion and obviously experiencing growth throughout the piece and yet still in some way maintaining something that you had or thought in the beginning.  I like conclusions that are both satisfying and thought-provoking, ones that neatly seal up the conflict but continue to tug at the back of your brain for hours after you read.  I honestly can't get enough extended metaphors or visual interpretations that correspond with ideas, and if this metaphor makes an appearance at the conclusion of the piece -- I can't think of anything better!

I have been noticing that the college essays that I write are not filled with reasons why I am the best candidate for a school; they have been much more like personal, anecdotal nonfiction with fluid description and an abundance of metaphor.  In short, pieces of writing that I actually would consider being proud of.  It's weird, because I thought these essays would be an utter chore -- and, I mean, the ones for the schools that want me to tell them why I am right for their college are an exception -- but I honestly have been really enjoying reflecting on the things I am proud of.  It's like in writing these essays, I am neatly sealing up my high school existence and experiences, coming to these special conclusions about each of them.

I mean, enjoying the college application process? Is that weird? Instead of stretching one essay as thin as I possibly can and trying to make it apply it to as many prompts as I can, I have found that I am taking full advantage of each unique prompt and thinking about exactly which experience I have had that corresponds with it.  And I am continuing to find that I, a sixteen year old girl living a mundane existence in suburban Cincinnati, am so much more applicable in so many more areas than I ever imagined I could be.

Ultimately I think what I am learning is that I have something to say, and that, to me, is both satisfying and thought-provoking.