So first off, I'd like to thank the wonderful FA community for inviting me to be a part of your family (or at least be put to the test)! I quite eagerly accepted as I have been waiting somewhat un-patiently (sorry for bugging, couldn't be helped!) for a while now.

Second, I'd like to apologize for a little bit of an absence from the community these past few days. This isn't the place to complain, but some professors (who shall remain nameless) thought it would be a good idea to assign over 2 weeks worth of work in a little over two days.... Anyway! Know that I have been pushing through my school schedule and I will be continuing to do so for a few more days. Spring break is in a week and a half, so count on me being around a lot then!

Third, and perhaps most important of all, I'd like to get to know my clanmates better! I really only talk often with the CoD4 beginners guys (shoutout to you all, you rock!), and so I struggle to feel like I fit in with a lot of other members. I've put myself out there and many of you are very nice, it's just a personal barrier I've put up (working to tear it down!). I will do my best to get to know at least one thing about you all. It will be difficult for me, but I think it's a well-intended goal.

If you've read this far, you're probably bored to tears with this seemingly unending post, so feel free to leave now. BUT, just in case you feel the same as me with regards to the third point, let me tell you my story (and maybe you can open up too):

In one short story, this is who I was, am, and always will be.

I was very young (in second grade or so) when my dad used to race in a small Porsche Cup series as a hobby. Naturally, he was my guide in the ways of the gearhead. By the time I was in second grade I knew quite a bit about modern supercars (at least for a very young kid), and it brought a huge smile to my face to see them in person.

One day, my father's series was invited to race on the Daytona road circuit, and so my family accompanied him. My dad was excited, it was a big day for him! Little did I know that it was an even bigger one for me.

So we were walking toward the check-in booth while looking around and admiring the scenery and taking in the sweet smell of burning 100 octane race fuel when I heard a sound in the distance. It was that kind of sound that would make you stop doing everything to turn and listen, and so I did. The sound was getting closer! It was a supercar, I was sure of that, but which one was it? As it got closer and closer, I knew it was special. I had never before heard such a beautiful exhaust sound! It was a sound that was terrifying, yet it drew you in. Finally, I see what glorious piece of engineering perfection has graced our presence:

a Ferrari Enzo.

To any supercar lover, this name carries weight. The name of Ferrari's founder, it was the ultimate Ferrari (and it's $1 million reflected that). Of the dreams I've had throughout my life, this moment keeps popping up. I remember not being able to look away. I had to keep staring in awe. It was no machine; it was alive. It had feeling, intelligence, and passion. I could pick up on these details as a kid. At that moment, I realized what the point of supercars really was:

Cars get you from point A to point B. Supercars put a smile on your face. It's a simple as this. A supercar is meant to make you forget about the destination and instead enjoy absolute happiness on the drive.

I credit that moment as the reason I am who I am today. It's the reason I've always wanted to be a mechanical engineer who designed cars. It's the reason I push myself to succeed. I want it. I want to be able to look at my own creation one day with the same childish wonder that I experienced that day, and if I did well enough, maybe I can give another child in the future the same realization I received. Maybe, just maybe, I can make a difference in the world.

My dad's car blew a head gasket that day, and it ended his racing career, but my life's work had only just begun.

Thanks for reading! If you have the time, pm me or comment about who you are/what you do so that I can get to know you better! I look forward to meeting you all! Enjoy your day!