Of the numerous jobs that I have had in the last few years, only one has maintained a lasting hold on me. I return again and again to the call of serving the same gratifying, palatable treat, that amazing creation called ice cream. With the experience I have had, I could have aspired for a more professional working environment than Frosty's Frozen Yogurt or Baskin Robins. Yet, for some unknown reason, I am strangely drawn to this type of work. Consequently, seems fitting that ice cream would be the perfect metaphor for the characteristics and accomplishments that I embody. If I look at a hot fudge sundae, I see several layers, each unique with its own taste that all do a part in representing me. The foundation is the ice cream, an endless number of choices, yet one flavor must be chosen as the individual chooses direction in life. Like the layer of whipped cream, experiences give shape to the rising dish. My qualities as the hot fudge adds to the plethora of distinct taste that make a sundae special, as with my qualities. Finally, my accomplishments, as the cherry, sit proudly on top, completing the unified masterpiece. .

             Just as there are countless possibilities of ice cream flavors, so are there a number of paths that I can follow in life. Rocky Road, with all its connotations, best describes the path that represents my life. Rocky Road has chocolate ice cream with nuts and marshmallows. It is not necessarily the smoothest route; however, the diverse elements that I experience along the way give additional pleasure to the sweet aftertaste. Coming from a very loving and indulgent family, I have been exposed to only the good of the world. Even my private school education helped to place rose-tinted glasses over my eyes, letting me see only what was good. Just as the chocolate ice cream in Rocky Road.

             During this stage, I was naive and oblivious to the real world. Content with my position in life, I was awakened to the harsh reality of life when I transferred to a public school for the seventh grade.