BC:ME

My name is Jesse Norman IV. I have lived my whole life in California, but was born in San Ramon. My hobbies are to play basketball, golf, and play the trombone. I have two major goals for this year,to  improve in school, and have more balance in my life.  I want to  have a great year academically as well as socially.

For about 6 years all I ever wanted to do was sports. Whether it was baseball, basketball,or tennis, I would do anything to keep my mind off of school. Once I started  sixth grade I figured out I couldn't do all the sports without worrying about my grades. By this time, I  stopped playing basketball because I felt I wasn't that good in the basketball teams but I faded from playing sports interlay. I couldn't even find the time to hang out with friends. I hated it, but I found a solution that I have recently started using. I had to figure a plan to do homework, get good grades and have time to chill. I started planing ahead, instead of playing video games all day. I started studying for an hour or two on subjects that  I was struggling on and then did the fun activities.  After a few months I started seeing results in every class expect one, math (God's way of punishing children). This past summer I did summer school for the first time. I now understand that if I wasn't messing around in class I could  be in algebra 2. That was last year,  this year will be better with my new plan and a real goal.

Balancing time for me has always been a pain. I can never seem to find the time to balance school with friends.I am either working too much or playing too much.Music was my escape.  It allows me to get away from school, work and occasionally parents. For four years now, I have been playing the trombone. I played at Lincoln Middle School and now I am currently in the band at Alameda High.  I found interest in it when I was 11 and a music teacher  brought a trumpet and a trombone for us to try. The trombone seemed just right for me.

Minus the fact that I love playing trombone, I have recently found more interest in the world of professional. I have a big interest in keeping up with what is going on in the sports world from injuries to big names with big contracts, a rookie bust or  prodigies in the making. Recently I have joined a fantasy football league. I hope I have a good season, seeing  how it's my first time. In a way you can say it is a hobby of mine. It also gives me something else to talk at the dinner table besides how was school and quality time with the folks.

I plan on going to college at U C San Diego. I hope to continue with playing basketball, golf, and if I have the time play a little bit of trombone on the side. Goals will certainly change. From getting a good job and starting a family of my own someday. Biggest of all goals finding balance in all of it, not just school but my life as a grown up. I mean, thats just me.