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Manifesto for a Balanced Life: Embracing Nature, Basketball, and Fitness

Introduction

As a 33 year old college student with all the responsibilities of an adult, life sometimes feels like a whirlwind of assignments, expectations, and social pressures. However, throughout this past semester, I have found peace and strength in three key areas: connecting with nature, playing basketball, and committing to regular workouts. These activities have not only improved my physical health but also my mental well-being. Through this manifesto, I aim to share the significance of these elements and inspire others to add similar passions into their lives for a more balanced and fulfilling experience.

Nature: The Ultimate Healer

Nature has always been a safe space for me, a place where the stresses of life seem to momentarily pause. I notice that in many of my assignments I was outside at a park of some sort. The sight of towering trees, and the fresh and clean air help recalibrate my mind and spirit. I commit to spending more time outdoors, whether it’s hiking through local trails or simply sitting in a park to take in some fresh air and just enjoy the moment. Nature's cycles of growth and renewal remind me that challenges are temporary and growth is continuous. I pledge to not only seek refuge in the natural world but also protect it by practicing and promoting environmental sustainability.

Basketball: Lessons Beyond the Court

Basketball is much more than a sport to me; it’s a platform for learning life’s critical lessons. In multiple assignments this year I spoke on the game and even took photos of multiple courts. When it comes to basketball, I've learned about resilience, teamwork, and leadership. Each game is a new challenge, a chance to set strategies and adapt as the game changes, much like handling situations in life. I promise to approach every practice and training session with dedication and a spirit of teamwork. Basketball is my outlet for stress and a source of joy, and I commit to respecting the game and everyone who plays it with me.

Fitness: A Foundation for Life

This is the reason that I’m able to go out and enjoy the trails in nature and still be able to hold my own on the basketball court. Regular physical activity has transformed not just my body, but my outlook on life. Working out teaches discipline, perseverance, and the importance of setting goals. Whether it's weight training or the dreaded cardio, each form of exercise contributes to my overall health and sharpens my focus and determination in all areas of life. I am dedicated to maintaining a fitness regimen that challenges me and pushes me toward higher personal standards. Fitness is a lifelong journey, and I am committed to staying on this path.

Integrating Passions: A Holistic Approach

The real magic happens when these three elements—nature, basketball, and working out—intersect. Each activity complements and enhances the others. Nature gives me the energy and peace needed to perform better on the court and in the gym. Basketball provides a practical application for my physical fitness, improving my agility and strength. Regular workouts increase my endurance, allowing me to enjoy my hikes and outdoor activities even more. By integrating these passions, I create a balanced lifestyle that keeps me healthy, happy, and motivated.

Community and Sharing

Part of my journey is sharing these experiences and building a community with similar interests. I want to encourage my peers to join me by taking hikes, playing some sort of sport (not just basketball), or share workout routines. By supporting each other, we can achieve more and create a positive impact on our community. Together, we can promote health, respect for nature, and a love for sports among our friends and family.

Conclusion: A Call to Engage

This manifesto is more than a personal declaration; it's an invitation to all who read it to find joy in nature, to learn from the discipline of sports like basketball, and to build strength through regular physical activity. I encourage everyone, especially my fellow students, to discover activities that resonate with them, fostering their physical, mental, and emotional health.

In embracing these practices, we not only enhance our own lives but also contribute to a healthier, more connected community. Let this manifesto inspire you to pursue a balanced life, where the tranquility of nature, the excitement of sport, and the empowerment of fitness are harmoniously integrated. Together, let's tackle life's challenges with resilience, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of well-being, equipped with the lessons we learn from each dribble, step, and breath.

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Ekphrasis of Henri Rousseau's "The Sleeping Gypsy"

In a quiet, moonlit desert, a woman sleeps alone, wrapped in bright clothes that stand out against the sandy surroundings. Her face is calm, maybe dreaming under the starry sky. Beside her, a large lion stands, looking down at her. Surprisingly, the lion isn't threatening but seems curious and calm, as if it’s wondering about this colorful person in its desert home.

The scene is lit softly by the moon, making subtle shadows and showing the woman’s mandolin lying quietly next to her. This small instrument suggests that she might have been playing music before falling asleep. There’s also a water jug next to her, hinting that she’s traveling and has stopped here to rest. The background shows gentle sand dunes stretching into the horizon, peaceful and untouched.

This painting looks like a paused moment, capturing a mysterious story. It makes us think about what might have happened before this scene: Why is she here? What music was she playing? Why isn’t the lion attacking? It feels like time has stopped, linking the wild with the peaceful, the colorful with the vast, and life with stillness.

Justification of Choices

Visual Piece Chosen: I picked Henri Rousseau's "The Sleeping Gypsy" because it shows a strange and dreamlike scene simply but deeply.

Essential Details: The key parts are the contrasting colors, the sleeping woman, the calm lion, the mandolin, and the water jug. These are important for setting the scene and mood.

Translation and Preservation: I tried to capture the quiet, almost mysterious atmosphere of the painting. I focused on how the woman's colorful clothes contrast with the pale sand and the calmness of the lion.

Mood and Feeling: The painting gives a feeling of mystery and peace. I described the moonlight and the stillness to show this, along with the strange calmness of the lion being so close.

Replication of Visual Details and Style: I talked about how the lion’s mane glows in the moonlight and the desert under the moon to reflect Rousseau’s style of using light and shadows. Mentioning the mandolin and the water jug helps to tell more about the scene, just like in the painting.

New Understanding or Interpretation: My description tries to explore the peaceful coexistence shown in the painting, suggesting themes of harmony and the beauty of calm moments in wild places.

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In "Three Transitions" by Peter Campus he seems to explore his identity through some cool video effects. The video has three parts, each using different techniques. In the first part, Campus cuts a hole in a piece of paper and steps through it and it kind of blending into another video of himself. In the second, he paints over a live video of his face, and as he paints, it reveals his face in a creative way. The last part shows his image burning away to show another image underneath.

This video doesn't tell a story like movies or TV shows do. Instead, he uses video to possibly make us think about how we see ourselves and how easy it is to change our images, which is super relevant today with all the photo editing and filters we use.

"Three Transitions" also challenges how we usually watch videos. Normally, we expect a clear story from TV and movies, but here, Campus uses video effects to dig into deeper ideas, like how we build our own identities. It’s a bit like poetry because it uses images in a symbolic way to make us feel and think, instead of just telling us a story.

By stepping away from regular storytelling and focusing on these visual tricks, the video pushes us to look at media in a different way and question what’s real and what’s not. This piece not only shows how cool video art can be but also makes us think about how we watch and understand videos differently from just regular TV shows or movies.

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In "Hamlet," I chose to focus on the Closet Scene, where Hamlet has a big confrontation with his mom, Queen Gertrude, in her private room. This scene really stood out to me because it seems very intense and emotional. It's as if Hamlet is upset with his mom for marrying his uncle so quickly after his dad died, and he doesn't hold back in telling her how he feels.

When reading the scene, Shakespeare's way of using words is very impressive. He uses these intense metaphors and images that make you feel the tension in the room. Hamlet is all over the place emotionally, and you can see how messed up he is about his mom's actions. There's a part where he shows her pictures of his dad and his uncle and is like, "Look what you left and what you chose." It really drives home just how hurt and upset he is.

Then, the ghost of Hamlet's dad shows up, but only Hamlet can see him. This part is creepy and makes you wonder if Hamlet is losing his mind or if it's all real. It adds this whole supernatural vibe to the scene that makes it even more intense.

Watching this scene on YouTube after reading it was a whole different experience. The actors brought so much life to the words, and you could really feel the emotion. It was interesting to see how the actors interpreted their characters. The Hamlet I saw was more angry than hurt and it made his character kind of scary, which made me think about how messed up the situation was for him.

I picked this scene because it's not as famous as the "to be or not to be" part, but it's a climax scene for understanding the story and the characters. You get to see a lot of the drama and the messed-up family dynamics all at once. Plus, the mix of real feelings and possibly seeing ghosts just makes it even more interesting to think about.

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"Moonlight"

"Moonlight" is a movie that tells the story of a guy named Chiron who lives in Miami. It's split into three parts, showing Chiron as a kid, a teenager, and then as an adult. The movie is about his life's challenges, like figuring out who he is and dealing with tough situations at home and school. The way the movie is made really lets you feel what Chiron is going through. The colors and the way some scenes are really up close make everything feel more intense and personal.

"BlacKkKlansman"

"BlacKkKlansman" is kind of a mix of serious and funny. It's based on a true story about Ron Stallworth, an African American police officer who manages to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s. He teams up with another cop, Flip Zimmerman, who goes to the meetings pretending to be Ron. The movie looks at really serious issues, but it also has a lot of moments that make you laugh. It's made in a way that keeps you interested the whole time, jumping from funny parts to serious ones really smoothly.

Analyzing a Scene from "BlacKkKlansman"

A good scene is when Ron and Flip are planning how they'll infiltrate the KKK. This scene is kind of tense because they're talking about serious stuff, but it's also funny because of how crazy their plan sounds. The way the scene is shot makes it even better. The camera moves back and forth between Ron and Flip, making you feel like you're in on their plan. The lighting is pretty regular, nothing too dramatic, which keeps the focus on their conversation. What makes this scene really work is the acting. Ron is serious but kind of amused at the absurdity of it all, and Flip is more skeptical about whether they can actually pull it off.

This scene is a great example of how the movie blends comedy with serious themes. Even though they're talking about something dangerous, the way they're planning feels a bit like they're just messing around. It shows how the movie can make you think about important issues while still making you laugh.

Connecting to the Movie's Themes

This scene isn't just funny; it's important to the movie's main message. It shows how Ron and Flip, despite being very different, work together for a good cause. This teamwork against racism and hate is a big part of what the movie is all about.

When writing about this on your blog, you might want to talk about how this scene makes you feel and why it's a good example of what the movie is trying to say. Adding pictures from the movie, or even drawings that show the scene, could make your post more interesting and help others visualize what you're talking about.

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So, I decided to do this assignment on a few things around my mom’s house that remind me of my childhood. These things all hold some sort of sentimental value to me and all have to do with me being outdoors. I’m not sure what order the photos uploaded so I’ll just provide a brief description of the photo that I’m describing. 1. The photo of the open field behind the apartments – My nephews and I spent so much time in this field as children. We would spend hours here playing football, tag, or even just a foot race to see who was the fastest at the time. I’m very grateful for this field being so close because it allowed us so much room to just run around freely and now that I’m studying exercise science, I know how big of a role that played in me developing as an athlete.

2. The photo of the Avocado Tree – Taking this picture forced me to think back to when I was a child and it amazes me that I can remember this tree being much smaller. My mom has always had somewhat of a green thumb and a love for plants so, as a child it wasn’t uncommon to see her putting new plants in the ground on a regular basis. At one point she had an entire garden, but as the years went by, she downsized. Now she really only has potted plants, but the Avocado and Guava tree still stand tall in the ground.

3. The photo of the woods – This is where I developed my sense of adventure and my love for nature. I remember being in elementary school and looking forward to getting out of school and going in the woods. I had no sense of fear and would wonder for what felt like miles. I remember climbing trees, swinging from vines, discovering a creek, building a clubhouse for me and my nephews. This was hands down one of my favorite places to be as a kid. 4. The photo of the streetlight – On the weekends, when my mom would allow us, we’d like to stay outside past sundown. As you can see we grew up in a very small town and this streetlight was one of the only ones near my mom’s house at the time. If this light wasn’t around, I’m sure that we would have figured it out somehow but I’m very grateful for its existence.

5. The photo of the Basketball court – Last but not least we have my home away from home. I spent many hours of my life here at this park. Back then the goals where better kept but the court is pretty much still the same. This is where I found my passion and the thing that has me on this journey that I’m on in life. It’s really such a blessing that this was within walking distance of my mom’s house. Even the fact that I would walk there while dribbling the ball helped me tremendously on my game. I’m forever grateful for this place and it’s a dream of mine to renovate it one day.

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Rock: "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix

Why it's cool: "Purple Haze" has this really trippy rock sound that's all about Jimi Hendrix's awesome guitar skills. The song feels like you're in a dream or something, with its fuzzy guitar sounds making everything feel kind of mysterious and cool. Purple usually means something deep and mystical, and that's exactly what this song sounds like.

Pop: "Yellow" by Coldplay

Why it's cool: "Yellow" is super mellow and has a comforting vibe. The guitar playing is simple but really catchy, and it makes you think of happy, sunny days. The song's pretty slow and easy to listen to, making you feel relaxed and uplifted. The color yellow here makes you think of sunshine and good times.

Hip-Hop/Rap: "BLK on BLK” by Chip tha Ripper

"BLK on BLK" has a really strong beat and a confident flow from Chip tha Ripper. The song has a powerful vibe that's all about being proud and standing strong. The title "BLK on BLK" itself suggests something bold and undiluted, much like the song's straightforward and compelling lyrics. It's got this raw energy that's really catchy, making it a standout track that's both cool and assertive. The color black here represents strength and depth, mirroring the song's powerful message and style.

Country: "Blue Ain't Your Color" by Keith Urban

Keith Urban's song is slow and has a really sweet melody. It's all about telling someone they're too good to be sad, which is a really nice message. The song's easy to listen to, with a calm and comforting feel. Blue usually means sadness, but the song is about making someone feel better, which is a cool twist.

Electronic/Dance: "Green Light" by Lorde

"Green Light" is super energetic and makes you want to dance. It starts off a bit slower but then really picks up, and it's all about moving on and feeling free. The beat is really catchy, and it's a song that gets stuck in your head easily. Green is all about go, and this song definitely makes you want to get up and go.

Jazz: "Mood Indigo" by Duke Ellington

This jazz song is more laid-back and has a really smooth, cool feel to it. It's kind of slow and reflective, with a lot of emotion packed into the music. The instruments sort of talk to each other, making you feel a bit dreamy or sad. Indigo is a deep, dark blue, and it fits the song's mood perfectly. It's all about feeling deep and a bit blue, but in a beautiful way.

So, that's the playlist! Each song uses the color in its title to set a mood or tell us something about what the song feels like. From the dreamy vibes of "Purple Haze" to the upbeat energy of "Green Light," each color adds its own flavor to the music. It's like a musical rainbow, showing off how different styles of music can express all kinds of emotions, just like colors can. Hope you find this mix as cool and colorful as I do!

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Plotting

In a small town, I was always a pretty good student, who was known for being very driven and always on time. Every morning, I followed the same routine: wake up at 6:30, eat breakfast, and catch the 7:15 bus to school. One particular morning, I woke up to a loud crash outside. Running to the window, I saw that a tree had fallen, blocking the road. This was a huge change in my usual perfect morning. Panicking, I quickly thought of a plan B.

Without the bus, I decided to ride a bike to school. But the problem was I hadn't ridden a bike in years. It was a bumpy and uncoordinated start, literally. I wobbled and swerved, but kept going, determined not to be late. On the way, I saw parts of the town never noticed before a small hidden park, a mural on a side street, and people out for their morning routines. It was a whole different world from the usual bus route.

Finally, after a much longer ride than expected, I made it to school, just as the bell rang. Breathless but full of excitement, I parked the bike. This new situation was different, but exciting. I realized that sometimes, a change in routine could be a good thing. It opened up a new perspective and even a bit of adventure. From that day on, I started mixing up the morning routine more often, sometimes walking or even jogging to school. It was a small change, but it made everyday a little more interesting.

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For this assignment I chose the poem Malcolm X, February 1965 by E. Ethelbert Miller.

"Malcolm X, February 1965" is a short poem about Malcolm X's thoughts right before he was killed. Miller writes this poem from the perspective of Malcolm X himself, and contemplates on not his own fears, but for his those of his family. The poem is simple but deep, showing us a side of Malcolm X we might not think about often which is his role as a husband and father, not just a public figure.

The poem is about Malcolm X knowing he might not have much time left. He worries about what will happen to his wife, Betty, and their girls after he's gone. At night, he can't sleep and keeps watch, ready to protect his family. Despite knowing people hate him and want to hurt him, he talks about dying for them and loving them in the best way he can. He ends by hoping Allah sees he's trying to do the right thing.

The poem shows a great deal of imagery. This is when the poem paints pictures in our minds. Like when Miller talks about Malcolm X watching out the window with a gun, it's easy to picture and feels intense. It shows how serious he is about keeping his family safe.

Miller's poem is more than just about a historical figure; it's about feeling scared but also brave and caring a lot about your family and what you stand for. It's a reminder of how complex and deep Malcolm X was.

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These are the 2 spaces that I chose. The first is the apartment that me and my girlfriend share. Most of the downstairs area is dominated by the living area which makes the room feel very spacious and cozy. Downstairs is also shared with the kitchen area. I personally do not like the kitchen area and feel that it is small and inconveniently located. It being close to the living area can be seen as a good thing since you don't have to go far for food and drinks but at the same time when you're cooking it can get loud for anyone trying to watch television in the living area. Our favorite thing about the downstairs area is the big sliding doors that lead out to the pond. These doors let in lots of natural light which me and my girlfriend both really appreciate, and the pond is a very tranquil area to just hang out and relax by. Upstairs are the bedrooms and 2 restrooms that me and my girl share as a bedroom and office space. We like that the bedrooms are all upstairs because we can easily separate our daily living from the bedroom which is great for our sleep habits. Now, the gym is my home away from home. I'm there as often as I can be. It's where I'm grinding towards my goal to train elite level athletes one day. The gym is huge, with tons of space that just screams 'freedom.' I love the echo of the ball on the court and the squeak of sneakers. It's one of my favorite sounds in the world. The place is simple, just a court and bleachers, but it's got everything I need.

Comparing my place to the gym, they're like different worlds. My apartment's all about being homey and a place to relax, but the gym is where I feel most alive. It's not just a big room with hoops; it's where I work towards my dreams. I love both places for different reasons. Home is where I can chill out and be myself, and the gym is where I push myself and grow. They both do what I need them to do. One for living and one for dreaming.

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The Iwo Jima Monument in Cape Coral is an amazing tribute to an iconic World War II moment. It is a replica of the famous Iwo Jima Memorial in Washington D.C., which itself is based on a photograph of U.S. soldiers raising the American flag. This sculpture is much more than just a piece of metal. It’s a frozen snapshot of history that captures the bravery and teamwork of the Marines and Navy during a crucial battle.

Because the monument can be walked around and viewed from all angles, it is a sculpture. This kind of design invites people to interact with it, to come up close, and view it from multiple angles. The monument’s size is imposing, making it a centerpiece that catches your eye as soon as you enter the area.

The plaque at the base lets us know the history of the monument, telling us why this moment was worth turning into bronze. Although you do get to know the history of the exact event, it’s also a nod to values like courage and unity, and other qualities that most people admire. Even the inscribed bricks at the foot of the monument add a personal touch, allowing local families to connect with this piece of national history and maybe learn a little about the individuals involved.

The setting of the monument says a lot as well. It's not tucked away in some corner but placed beside a busy highway where people are always driving by. This makes the monument a living part of the community, a constant reminder of the past alongside the hustle and bustle of daily life.

To sum up, the Iwo Jima Monument in Cape Coral isn’t just a cool sculpture to take pictures of. It tells us what the community values. Bravery, history, and the sacrifices made for the country. It's a public art piece that does exactly what public art should do: it makes you stop, look, and think about more than just the big piece of metal in front of you.

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For this assignment I chose the painting “Violin and Playing Cards on a Table” by Juan Gris. What stood out to me and drew me into the painting initially was the way that the colors popped out. The green and the red colors really caught my eye and after learning about what contemporary colors on the color wheel are, I think that it has something to do with that. The colors stand out, but they seem to not be very vibrant and are instead more muted or dull. To me, this kind of gives the painting an older feel. Even though cards and violins are still played to this day, I imagine this game and violin being played in an old western tavern. Gris mostly uses triangles and squares for shapes in the painting and this gives the feel of almost a collage. As if, he cut out individual pieces and then glued them on to a board. This also makes the painting look layered which gives it depth. Gris uses a lot of straight and geometric lines that crisscross and overlap, making everything look kind of broken up and jumbled. These sharp lines make the painting feel precise and organized, even though everything is kind of all over the place. You really can’t tell what the texture of the painting is just from looking at it, but I imagine that it is relatively smooth. The painting has a calm, thoughtful vibe, and it's really engaging because there's so much to see and think about. It kind of shows how complex and layered everything is, even simple stuff like a violin and some cards. I would call it beautiful, organized, chaos.

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So, this is one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite artists as a child, Childish Gambino also known as Donald Glover. He is a Hip Hop artist from Atlanta Georgia and much of his music is themed around supporting kids and people who feel out of place in life. Growing up I identified as a person who didn’t really fit in and so I was instantly drawn into his music and when I heard his message of not caring what others think and taking pride in being unique, I was hooked. The album that this song is on is an entire album dedicated to his newborn son at the time, with many of the songs being specifically for his son. This is one of those songs and it's titled "Me and your Mama. I love this song because not only is Donald using his lyrics to tell the story of his relationship with his son’s mother but also the music. To start we are introduced to a very dreamy and melodic Xylophone, followed by some heavy hitting bass and 808s and some angelic, pleasant lyrics. I believe that this symbolizes the beginning of their relationship when things were fresh and their love for each other was at a peak. At about the 1:35 point we hear a new very brash bass that almost sounds out of place. I think that this represents the turning point in their relationship and things begin to fall apart. This is followed by a complete beat switch up at 2:00. At this point the song goes from melodic to what could be considered chaos. Here we have a guitar and hard-hitting drum and cymbals along with a choir singing “Let me into your heart”. I believe that this is the point in their relationship where things had totally fallen apart, and they were probably doing more arguing and fighting than ever before. Donald then inserts himself into the song with a very harsh style of singing that at some points is just pure screaming. He sings lyrics that let you know that love still exists but also acknowledging that things are bad like “girl you really got a hold on me, so this isn’t just puppy love”, “this ain’t no bulls**t. I really love you girl”, and “This is the end of us sleeping with the moon and the stars”. This goes on until about 4:05 when just when it seems like things are reaching a climax the beat switches up once more. This time to what I would say is a blend of the two beats. It’s the same melody from the second half of the song but now with the same calmness as the beginning of the song. I think the represents the birth of their child together and them deciding to make things work for the sake of raising their child to the best of their abilities. I absolutely love this song and I think it’s incredible how Donald uses all aspects of the song to tell this beautiful story. There is another song on the album titled “The night me and your mama met” that I wanted to include as well because I think it’s even more beautiful than this, but it doesn’t include any lyrics. But even without lyrics it does an excellent job of painting a picture of meeting a person that you instantly fall in love with upon meeting them. I'd 100% recommend listening to the entire album.

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Hello everyone, I'm Josh. I've been in and out of college for some years now due to the fact that I could never decide what career I wanted to pursue. I've always known that whatever I did I wanted to be able to work for myself and create my own business, and that I would want to be passionate about whatever career path I chose. I went back and for with the thoughts that "I don't need school to start a successful business" and "I should go to school to acquire the knowledge that I need to be successful". Finally, it seems that the decision has been made for me. Basketball has been the ultimate passion of my life since a child and like all other people who take the game seriously, I dreamed of being a part of the NBA. Initially I dreamed of being a player until I stopped growing at 5'10 and got 0 scholarship offers as a senior in High School. I gave up on my dream of playing ball at that level was slightly discouraged but not enough to stop me from loving the game. I continued to play and train and continued to improve my game. Eventually I was to the point where I had developed a love for training others and seeing them get results. This resparked my dream for being a part of the National Basketball Association. This time not as a player but as a trainer. I began to look into what it would take to make it to that level, and it seems no one makes it to that level without at least a Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certificate and in order to obtain this certificate you must at least have a bachelor's degree in any field. I figured if I'm going to get a degree I might as well get it in a field that's going to prepare me for my career, so I chose to pursue a degree in Exercise Science. I know that this probably won't be enough to get me where I want to be so I plan to continue my education after obtaining my B.A. and I think that once I'm in the Exercise Science program the next steps will become clearer to me. I chose to go to FSW because it'll be an easier route to getting into the E.S. program at FGCU which gives you a Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certificate, an E.S. degree, as well as helping you get experience through an internship.

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Hey! what's up, everyone? So I'm going to be completely honest with you about why I chose this platform. It's 100% because the professor stated that it's the easiest. Work smarter not harder.