A Newfound Appreciation
�Life is beauty, admire it�
� Mother Teresa.
I finally understood the meaning of this quote after a trip to California. The sparkling, diamond-like ocean; I throw off my flip-flops and feel my feet sink into the fine sand. The sand is so clean and powder-like. I am running towards the beautiful sight of the ocean, its waves crashing in one after another. I dunk my legs into the clear water, but only up to my knees. Spinning around, I get a better view of this wondrous place, where the wind blows ever so slightly, not enough to tangle my long hair, but just enough to move it out of my face.
I examine the tall, rough-surfaced trunks of the palm trees as I walk by. The trunks are a collage of colors composed of many thick spike-like pieces of bark, and contrast greatly with the smooth surface of the concrete sidewalk. I arrive at the Cove and glance over the ledge. There is a small island of all rock in the water on which seals are resting. Sunlight reflects off the wet, smooth heads of the dark gray seals. Although many are packed on the little rocky island, many are also in the water swimming above and below the surface. �Wow�� Seeing the view of the crystal water and the adorable seals warms my heart and leaves me breathless.
I stroll back from the Cove to the beach. With each step I take the sun sinks lower and lower into the horizon. I turn my head to face the sunset. The sky is changing colors: what was previously a crisp blue sky is now a mixture of reds, yellows, and purples. The ocean�s scent is pleasant because it isn�t too strong. As I gaze around taking in as many details of my surroundings as possible, the picturesque scene embeds itself into my mind.
I realize that I have not been able to really appreciate the outdoors and how beautiful it is. I lift my head to look at the multicolored sky. This is how I am going to proceed through life, with my head up. Watching the colors turn darker and the sun sink lower into the horizon, I understand that each moment is precious, thus I have to enjoy it while I can.
�Annie? Annie? Hello?� It is the voice of my closest friend, Jennifer. The sun has already set, and the sky has darkened to a deep midnight blue, with several stars visible in the clear night sky. The wind is blowing slightly harder now, giving me chills. I put on my thin jacket and begin to step into the minivan. It is time to depart. As the minivan begins to pull away, I turn around and look out the back window. Filled with shadows and darkness, the beach now contains a different beauty but a beauty nonetheless. The car drives away and the view of La Jolla Cove grows smaller by the minute, until it fades into the darkness.
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?Annie Kim 2005