Ever since I could remember, I wanted to do something amazing. I wanted to do something for someones else’s life that would change it. I was able to fulfill that goal. But never in the way that I expected. Now, you’re probably wondering why I chose to put this sentence as my title. Well when I first came up with it, I was a little confused of my own thought. I realized that it’s more than true. I tend to do things before I think. But not in the way you think. Of course when I am writing or emailing my friend, or even talk to someone about something, I always think deeply before I speak. But when it is a matter in which it includes physical actions. Well… I’m not the same person. I will literally do anything in my power to do what I think is right. Everyone I know and including myself knows that I have an extremely stubborn soul. Just not in the way you would tend to think it is. And honestly, it is the toughest thing I encountered.

Over the summer I did something so insane, so illogical, so utterly stupid. And yet I don’t regret it one bit.

My best friend Esther Vega was coming over to my house to hang out, then we would go to the pool to swim. After about two hours we both were in the pool having a contest in which we had to swim like dolphins the entire perimeter of the pool. After a while a two women and a small little girl went in as well. One of the women went to the deepest end of the pool. I guess she assumed that since younger kids were doing it, she would be able to do it even though she couldn’t swim. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone more wrong in my life. She started to sink slowly, but then more rapidly. She started panicking. Flailing her arms desperately trying to stay up and float to the shallow end. But she failed miserably. “Kanmani help!” Yelled the other women, apparently they were sisters, and they both couldn’t swim. I was there only option because Esther was at the other end, and Mrs.Vega couldn’t run fast enough to reach the life preserver. I swam quickly, reaching her. She was wearing incredibly heaving clothes that were weighing her down, making it harder for me to pull her up. My mind raced as I dragged her to the shallow end, leading her to the steps. Esther, Mrs. Vega, and I all went back to where my mom was waiting at home. “I saved someone’s life.” Still recovering from the shock. Esther nodded her head. “Oh!” my mom gasped as Mrs. Vega and I explained what happened. Mrs. Vega warned me that I had to train to be a lifeguard and that it is dangerous risking my life like that. After we waved our goodbyes and they both left, I went upstairs to take a shower, leaving my mother to think about how her daughter ended up the way she was right now.

After I showered I went back downstairs and sat down at the dining table. My mom was washing dishes in the kitchen. She asked me to explain what had happened. As I spoke, my mom’s face changed from worried to horrified. She scolded me for being this way, saying it wasn’t safe and that I should have used one of the nearby safety equipment. After she was done scolding me and my uncontrollably stubborn mind, I went to the computer, and searched how old you had to be to be a lifeguard. 15. I was eleven. I am a criminal. In a way. For days my parents tormented me about what happened at the pool. Calling relatives and friends, telling everyone they know. My level of stubbornness hasn’t decreased one bit.