Hero as a warrior and maybe even as a lover

I'm Michael Hodges. I see myself as a warrior because of the football field. On the football field the teams have a repectful fight and it requires physical challenges. During the game our team and the other team are enemies, and we don't like each other. Sometimes, the fight carries on after the game but we try to prevent that. The reason my dog is on this blog is because he rsembles my "hero as a lover" side. His name is Soldier and I love him very much. I have had him ever since he was a puppy and every day our bond grows stronger. He is a black lab/blue heeler mix but I don't care I like mutts. I have two other siblings named Mark and Marqui. They keep me in check in all of my activities. My mom and dad provide so much love and support for me. I couldn't ask for better parents to patrol my childhood.

The journey in search of knowledge

This is my brother I call him Bubba. He is my role model and a great leader. He received a full scholar ship for football to East Central University. This is what I want to do as well. I would love to go to the NFL but if that doesn't happen I will have my education to lean back on. The reason I play football is because it's fun but also it can pay for college if I try really hard. My brother just received his masters degree and I think he is going to get his doctorate. I'm proud of my brother and I love him very much. If I achieve my goal to reach college on a full ride then all of my siblings and I will have graduated from college. Before my brother graduated, no one else in my whole family on both sides graduated. For me to graduate I will have to work hard and stay out of trouble. It would mean the world to my parents if all of their kids graduated college.

My Mentors

My dad is my mentor. He pushes me hard and doesn't let me quit. Ever since I was born he has watched over me, with help from mom. When I first started football, when I was five, he trained me to become the player I am now. He taught me everything he knew about football and basketball. Not only did he train me in sports, but also in school. He makes sure my grades are where they should be. Sometimes he makes me upset, but we always work past that. He also taught me how to fish, and we enjoy time on the lake together. No matter what I become in life I know I have the support, and some occasional tips, from my loving father.

Threshold Guardian

This is my sister Marqui. She is my threshold guardian, but she is my ally. In school she warns me about the things that will be tough and lets me know what I should do. She doesn't force me to do anything I don't want to. She just informs me of certain obstacles. After I make my decision she is with me one-hundred percent of the way no matter the occaision, unless it's really stupid. Some of things she has warned me of is Mrs. Strictland's G/T Chemistry. There will be a lot of homework and it will be hard, but to be a good student it is necessary, so I will overcome it. One thing I have not overcome is summer homework. I know I will put it off until the end of summer, so that challenge has defeated me, but I will just have to live with it. I love my sister very much and I wouldn't trade her for the world. She is my threshold guardian in a good way.

Shadow

My shadow is peer pressure. Every year people are influenced and changed by peer pressure. Every year it gets worse and it gets harder to say no. The friends that do pressure me into things such as drugs, alcohol, and other negative activities are more like acquaintances. I try to make them stop doing the bad things, so they won't try to make me do them. If I am able to prevent negative peer presure then my life will be way easier. This is a big shadow, but I am determined to overcome it and complete my quest for knowledge. I'm still climbing the big step right now.

Trickster

This kid is Samuel, nickname Sam, he is the funniest person in the world and he is my cousin. To me he is like Will Ferrell, everything he says is funny. If I need a laugh Sam can make me laugh, even if it's on accident. In football games that we lose he makes some kind of joke to make me feel better. I couldn't ask for a better trickster then Sam. I know he is with me all the way. Sam is like a brother to me so we get in fights occasionally, but they never last more than one or two hours. There is no doubt in my mind that he can provide comic relief for me on any journey.

One of a kind

I consider myself one of a kind because I try to be unique and out of the ordinary. I don't mean I'm trying to be weird, I just want to stand out from the crowd. My dream is to be successful in whatever I choose to be, and most people hire the person that stands out to be the best. I'm the only Asian I know that wants to be a NFL player or a businessman. When I say businessman I mean a real estate broker. Selling huge houses to rich people and getting paid big time to do it sounds fun. Any dude wants to become a sport all-star so I'm going to work hard and try to accomplish that. However, I know that the possibility of that isn't in my favor. Another thing that makes me unique is that I like to dance and I'm good at it. I know other people are good at dancing and they are probably better than me at it but I don't care. This is why I'm one of a kind.

The struggle for success

This picture shows my dreams of success, and it shows one of the most true quotes of all time. This quote has been presented to me by my family. My family never lets me forget about the cruelty and the unfairness of this world. Just because you deserve something doesn't mean you automatically get it, sometimes you have to take it. People always try to bring others down with them that's why you must always be on your guard in whatever you do. Success doesn't come easy and I know that, so I'm gonna work twice as hard to ensure a good future for me and my future family.

Band of companions

My friends and family are my band of companions. There's no question that they have my back in any tough situation I'm in. No matter the activity I'm in they will be there watching and cheering me on. My brother and dad will have tips for me along with the support and I listen to every bit of it. I love my band of companions.

The speech

Martin Luther Kings' speech is arguably the most important speech in the world. I want to give a speech that is important but not as important as his. In movies the spotlight always is on the leader who is having to make the speech. I want to be that leader that makes the dramatic scene and leads his companions to victory. I don't back down from a challenge and having the courage to stand in front of people and deliver a striking speech is a great challenge. If I ever do have to make a speech then I will make sure it is more than enough to push my allies to victory. Making a speech is a big deal and I'm not ready yet but the time will come and then we will just have to see.

Strength tests

No one in the world gets put to the test more than the U.S. Army. They are strong physically, mentally, and emotionally. I expect some moments in my life to call for all types of strength and when they come around I'll be put to the test. If I can overcome the challenge, whatever it is later in life, then my quest will be complete. I love our U.S. military and without them we wouldn't be free. Their strength will encourage me to improve all aspects of my life. Once I have done that then my personal odyssey will be completed.