"Effortless Bonding"

Essay by Anonymous UserUniversity, Bachelor'sA+, November 1996

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During the summer months following my seventh grade school year, I was involved in tennis camp activities with two of my closest friends, Suzanne and Erin. This was the first time that we were able to get to know each other better away from school since we did not have any classes together that year. Even though we were good friends, I had never felt a sense of camaraderie with either of them because they participated in sports, while I was involved in academics and other school activities. Not having had any paritcular interest in sports before the summer camp session, it was surprising that I became completely enthralled with the sport of tennis.

Tennis proved to be my initial experience with the bonding of my other two friends as this was an activity that each of us would be learning for the first time together. We were placed in the beginner group which introduced us to the sport and taught us the basic skills.

My problem was that I didn't want to learn the introductory aspect of tennis, I wanted to start playing the actual game. While Suzanne and Erin were diligently practicing their forehand and backhand motions, I took private lessons focusing on my serve. Glancing their way, I would see them laughing and chatting as they walked to the clubhouse for a snack during a break. By expending all my energy on the game, I had hoped that my friends would respect my ability and that it would bring us closer together. Instead, I felt they were ostracizing me, which wasn't truly the case. Even so, Suzanne and Erin had developed a tight relationship of which I was envious. The closer they became, the worse I felt because I wanted to share equally in the...