In 1989, fresh out of high school, I had the difficult task of choosing a career path before college started in three months. In those days in Pakistan, there were limited options (选择): becoming a doctor or an engineer, or entering the financial world after getting a business degree. I wasn’t interested in engineering, so I was left with medicine or business. I couldn’t decide.

My uncle, an influential person in the family, suggested that I do a work placement to experience it for a month in an international company followed by a month in a hospital. After that, I could make a decision.

It seemed like a brilliant idea. I was accepted for a month’s placement at a foreign bank in Karachi. I got a feel for how the world of finance functioned, made new friends, and generally enjoyed the mostly easy-going work surroundings.

The month passed rapidly, and soon I began working at a leading hospital in Karachi. The experience couldn’t have been more different. The hospital had an intense (紧张的) environment. The days started early (at 7 am, compared to 9 am at the bank), and were heavy with endless duties. And the night calls! This was crazy, working all day, through the night, and again the next day.

I began thinking about my two experiences. The bank had offered a more relaxing atmosphere (氛围), better working hours and less stress. The hospital was full of excitement and unpredictability, but the studying and training was difficult. It seemed that the business option was going to win out.

Near the end of my month at the hospital, I was driving home after an especially busy night call. In front of me was a public bus, with college students sitting on the top. As the driver weaved through (穿梭) traffic, I could see the boys shaking from side to side.

Suddenly, a boy fell off the back of the bus.

The next day, when I went to hospital to see the boy, all his family got up, with grateful smiles on their faces.

Alexis and Zoe were sitting at the kitchen table doing homework. They were having a hard time concentrating on their assignment because the radio station was playing music from their favorite band, the Shape Shifters.

“I can’t believe the Shifters are going to be playing here and we can’t go!” Alexis complained. “I know,” complained Zoe. “Tickets were sold out in five minutes, and even if we could get some, they are so expensive!”

“It’s totally unfair,” said Alexis. “They should give the tickets to their biggest fans first!” “You mean us, right?” “Obviously,” laughed Alexis. “Everyone knows we’re their number one fans.”

Zoe turned the radio up a little louder. Their favorite song was on, and using a pencil and a banana as microphones (麦克风), they sang loudly as if they were at the concert.

As the song ended, the host started talking about the concert. “The Shape Shifters are playing in town this weekend,” he announced loudly. “And we’re giving away two tickets to Saturday’s sold-out show, right now! We’re looking for the 10th caller who can correctly answer this question: Who is the oldest member of the Shape Shifters?”

Alexis and Zoe looked at each other. They couldn’t believe how easy the question was. “It’s Georgie!” said Alexis. “No, it’s Natasha,” answered Zoe.

“What do you mean?” asked Alexis. “Everyone knows Georgie is 29, he’s much older than the rest of the band.” “Yeah, I know he’s the oldest person, but the question was who the oldest member of the band is. Natasha started the band when she was just 15. The others joined the group after her.” explained Zoe. ” “But…” Alexis wasn’t convinced.

As they listened, they heard the host taking calls from excited fans. “Caller Number Three, you’re up! What’s your answer?” “Georgie,” said the nervous voice. “Wrong again,” boomed the host. “Nobody seems to know the answer! Next caller!”

“You’re right! CALL THE STATION NOW!” Alexis said.

“What are your names, ladies?” the host asked seriously.

That summer I turned 18. I was wild with excitement because I just took my driving license and my parents bought me a new perfect car. I was reminded repeatedly by my parents to drive cautiously. Along with this new privilege (特权) came new responsibilities. I would practice the same routine-call my parents and tell them where I was going, whom I was with and when I would be home. It became a typical cycle.

I had been working all day in the hot sun.I was exhausted and ready for a nap. But my stomach told me something different. So I called my friend Mike and made our way into town. After our meal, we never knew our day would soon change for the worse.

It takes only a moment to turn your life upside down. I recalled later that I was driving fast. Actually too fast. I reached the conclusion two years later that the mistake would be with me for the rest of my life.

Mike and I were driving down a dusty gravel (沙砾) road. I was driving a shiny black Saturn,which was the car I had admired for long. I was overflowing with excitement and pride to be driving it.It was perfect in my eyes. I could see the rolling hills in the distance. Tall pine trees traveled on both sides of the road.The music playing loudly, we both were in high spirits. Somehow, without realizing it, I sped up.

Enjoying ourselves in my car,we came across a loose spot of gravel. My tires were stuck in it and desperate to escape. My car started fishtailing (摆尾行驶). Terrified,I pressed hard on the brakes and all of a sudden the car lost control. I froze, my body was stiff, great panic holding me entirely in its power. Looking into the right, I took a glimpse of Mike, whose body had leaned towards me. His face went pale but he was trying to balance himself. The car was rushing left to right, coasting (惯性滑行) along the gravel as if it were ice. It was only seconds later that my car crashed head on into a big pine tree.

A First Aid Experience

“How did tryout go, Shayna?” Mom asked after school. “Terrible,” I said. “Kristie got Cinderella’s part!” “What part did you get?” “None,” I whispered. I ran to my room and started weeping because of my lack of a talent for the play. I always bear it in mind that drawing is my good part and drawing always makes me feel better.

The next day, Kristie was excited. But when the last bell rang, her mood changed. “I’m nervous, Shayna,” she said. “Will you continue to come to rehearsal?”

I wanted to say no. Then I realized I couldn’t leave yet. My parents had signed me up for the late bus because I thought I’d be in the play.

“All right,” I said. “But only today.”

In the auditorium, Ms. Carson handed out copies of the script to the cast. I sat in the third row, wishing I were in my room drawing. Ms. Carson pulled a cardboard castle onto the middle of the stage. It was brown with small windows and doors.

“How terrible the scene is!” I thought to myself.

Ms. Carson turned on the music, and Kristie and the Prince started dancing. I had to admit, Kristie was really good. Ms. Carson hit a metal triangle with a little stick 12 times. Kristie ran off the stage and dropped her left sneakers. The curtain came down.

“Thanks, everyone,” said Ms. Carson. “We’ll go through the rest tomorrow.”

“When will we get the real sets?” Kristie pointed to the cardboard castle.

“These are the real sets,” Ms. Carson said. “We don’t have an art teacher this year. So that’s the best we could do.”

Hearing what Ms. Carson said, I thought for a moment. “Maybe there’s something I can do.”

Finally, opening night arrived.

Dad and Madison were walking through the party store, gathering decorations for Madison’s upcoming birthday party.

“But I don’t want to invite Lucy Gilbert! I don’t like her!”

“Madison, you are being unreasonable. If every girl in your class is invited to a party but you, you’ll feel left out. It would be a big mistake not toinvite Lucy to the party. ”“She never even talks to me! ”

Dad sighed and moved down the aisle ( 走廊). “Lucy is a new girl in class. She just moved here a little over a month ago. Think about how that must feel. She doesn’t know one single person in the school. She left all of her old friends behind and now she has to try to make new friends. Your party will be a great chance for her to get to know everyone. ”

“No, it won’t. She will probably sit in the corner and not talk to anyone. Every day at lunch she sits all by herself. She wants to eat alone!" Madison shrugged and rolled her eyes (翻白眼).

“Madison, I’m done discussing this. You will invite every girl in your class, including Lucy Gilbert!"

On Saturday morning, the family blew up balloons and decorated the house cheerfully. Madison was dressed beautifully for the day, wearing her new blue dress. It was not typical of her to dress herself like this. She usually wore sports clothes because she loved to be outside riding her horse Star with a lead rope (缰绳).

Madison greeted her friends at the doorstep, picturing (想象)various presents her friends would bring her. In the meanwhile, she was wondering whether Lucy would ruin the party if she came. Anyhow, all the girls she invited came finally, including Lucy. The girls had a fantastic time by singing and dancing while Lucy sat in the corner silently alone. Later, all the girls gathered around the table as Madison opened her presents. Opening them one by one, Madison thanked her friends, with a bright smile on her face.

Lucy’s present was the very last to be opened.

Deeply moved by what she said, Madison held the lead rope tightly in her hands.

Niesha could not forget the way she had frozen in front of the class today. Mr. Roberts had divided the class into groups to do presentations. Today had been Niesha’s turn. However, her hands had shaken so badly that she couldn’t read her notes. Her voice had become softer even to silence. Mr. Roberts had kindly ended Niesha’s part of the presentation even though she had clearly not finished. He had also asked Niesha to stay after class for a moment.

“Niesha, I know you’re shy, but you worked hard on this project. I’d hate to see you give up on yourself.” Mr. Roberts had hesitated, “If I give you another chance until tomorrow, do you think you can find your courage?” Niesha had nodded, grateful for the chance. She had gone as quickly as she could to her next class. She had kept her head down and hoped the school day would end soon.

When she reached her back steps that afternoon, she could see an inviting light coming from the kitchen windows. Momma was baking. Momma studied Niesha’s face as she came into the kitchen. “What’s wrong, Niesha?”

Tears shone in Niesha’s brown eyes. She told her the whole story. Momma was silent for a moment, her hands still busy with the cake. “Why is it that you can talk to me about anything and everything, but you can’t talk to your class?” Momma asked. She set the timer and then said, “Let me show something.”

Niesha followed Momma to her bedroom. There Momma showed her a book filled with newspaper clippings(剪报)and pictures. In it there was a blue ribbon that said “First Place” and a picture of herself when she was very young, standing with her parents.

“I won it for public speaking. I started the school year as the shyest girl on the speech team, but I ended the year as the blue ribbon winner. It wasn’t easy at first-not sure of yourself at all, I worked hard, and mostly I faced my fears. You just need to find your courage.”

Hearing Momma’s words, Niesha stared at the precious blue ribbon, lost in thought.