When I see a scar, I see something else. I think about how much it probably hurt, of course, but I also think about why it's there in the first place.
Some scars are lessons-- learning when you're five that the iron is really really hot. Some are from a traumatic experience or surgery-- a mark of courage. And the rest are most usually attached to some wild story.
The great thing about scars, is no matter how small, it seems you don't forget why they're there. Each scar has it's own story behind it, and those seem to stick around remarkably well, sometimes more so than the scar itself.
I decided to ask around for the best 'stories behind the scar.' Here are some of the tales I was told:
Marks of Bravery
"When I was a freshman in high school I was at soccer practice and passed out mid warm up run. Come to find out I had a hole in my heart where 90 percent of the wall between my upper chambers were gone mixing the oxygenated and deoxygenated blood causing my heart to work harder and enlarge ten times its normal size. So I had to get open heart surgery to fix the hole or else I would have died before 18 years old-- my doctor said my heart and hole was the largest he'd ever seen. So now I have a nice scar in the middle of my chest." -Brittany M.
"I had a calcium buildup on my arm, and decided to have removal surgery to get rid of the pain, knowing there would be a huge scar after. A surgery intern was the one who closed the incision, and they didn't do a very good job. The scar didn't heal right, so it was much bigger than they expected. A few years later, I watched them cut out the entire scar to fix the damage, which left me with a new one. It's still pretty big, but I used to be very self-conscious about it. Now I have accepted it as part of me. So sometimes when people ask me what happened I like to make up stories (i.e. shark attack, stabbed, car accident), because I get a kick out of it, and who cares anyway?" -Ashley J.
"I saw two guys ganging up on my friend, so I stepped in. Three more guys decided to jump on me. I was fighting those three guys which resulted in a split from my nose to my lip. I remember the shot of novocaine directly in the cut (before the stiches) hurt a lot more than the punch." -Anthony V. (Dad)
'I Don't Remember ALL the Details...' Scars
As I have come to find, many scars happen to be result of a bit too much to drink, and bad decisions (for example, someone I know deciding that burning yourself with a lit cigarette would be hilarious). Sometimes the exact details are fuzzy, but here is a small collection of those tipsy triumphs.
"It was November, and in my town high schoolers go to this place called the "Crater" in the woods to drink. One night I was there and my best friend, Meredith, who was holding my hand, tripped and brought me down with her. My hand was gushing blood so I was holding toilet paper on it that some random kid had in his back pack. A few minutes later I heard from my ex boyfriend say, "where the f*** is Meredith?" Then I heard "what?" I turned and she was on the ground, he was gone, and her nose was bleeding and broken. So we walked together, my hand gushing, her nose gushing. I was worried about her that night, so I didn't get stitches. Now we both have scars from that night." -M.
"I went sailing black-out-drunk and ended up tipping the entire sail boat over. In the process I cut my foot on a broken bottle." -C.
"Well New Year's Eve I went to a party and there was a ton of people. The clock turned midnight and the cops kicked open the door and threw in pepper spray bombs. There was like 100 kids in the room and they barricaded the front door so everyone had to squeeze out the back. It was a normal sized door during a stampede, so my hand got stuck and cut open. Turns out I got it for nothing, we all got trapped by the cops in the back yard anyway." -K.
"I was peeing in the dark, I didn't have much balance at the time. I ended up falling, rolling down a hill, and my hand found a glass bottle at the bottom. I'm just glad it was my hand." -M.
Memory Scars
Some scars have stories attached that are just plain funny. (Though, at the time, probably not so funny.)Like, when my brother decided to make french fries while shirtless, resulting in a straight scar across his stomach from the pan.
"I have a scar on my head. Hit it on a moving ceiling fan. It was great." -Ally P
"Me and my brother got into a pillow fight. I saw the pillow coming right for my face, so I put my hand up, punching myself in the face. I started bleeding everywhere and had to get stitches up there. Nobody can really see the scar, but I'll never forget it. My brother sure won that pillow fight." -Katie O.
"I have one on my tongue-- cause I bit through it. And had to get it stitched back on. Because my brother threw a baseball at my face." -Katrina B.
"So I'm four years old and laying on the ground in my brother’s room while he is vacuuming. He took the vacuum and vacuumed my head. I had a bald spot for five years." -Molly K.
"I don't have too many of my own, but Dana I sure as hell remember watching you somersault down the cement bowl of the skate park when I was trying to teach you how to roller blade. Your elbow was bleeding the whole day." -Alexandra N.(Yes, I do have a huge scar from that lovely day.)
"For Dana’s birthday every year we went to walk the rock coast in Rockport MA. Her mom only had one rule for this birthday weekend: no flip flops. I wore flip flops. Now I have a nice big scar in the middle of my shin" -Katie O.
"I was at the first fireworks that I remember, and a falling firework ash fell into my Wellington boot and burned me. I was only three when it happened." -Kate G.
"While riding my dirt bike in 8th grade, I slid out in the mud. My Suzuki landed on top of my leg, I was pinned on my back like a turtle. I calmly turned the engine off, then turned to panic as I felt the burning on my leg. As I was in the mud, I couldn’t get any traction to lift the bike. I yelled, I cried, I blacked out, I awoke…to see my younger brother ride down a hill to me, he jumped off his bike while it was still moving, and he pulled the bike off of me, using all of his 6th grade 80 lbs! My dad, who was riding ahead, estimated it was 10 minutes or so. It felt like a lifetime. My little brother grew up to be a firefighter, still saving people from burning! The result: 3rd degree burns, two large ovals on my calf that perfectly reflected the exhaust shield. They look like bite marks, so I used to tell people I was bitten by a shark. Over the years, I've told the story so many times that it's become convincing enough to fool just about anyone." -Anthony V. (Dad)
"I grabbed a hot tail pipe as a child because it was shiny-- I got second degree burns on my hands." -Shane N.
My last scar story isn't too wild, but I have a tiny, tiny scar on my arm. It's from when I was in the hospital senior year -- as a result of a PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter). Basically, it goes from your arm to your heart to give you nutrients, medications, and take blood from. I got it in the ICU at Massachusetts General Hospital -- it was one of the lowest parts of my life for sure, and I was very weak. But I love that scar, it's right in the middle of my bicep, so I see it and think how strong I've become since I got it.
Scars teach lessons -- be proud of your life marks. If you're ever worried about showing your scars, take a lesson from my dad:
"I needed surgery to fix a shoulder that dislocated four times in two years. Before I went “out”, my doctor told me he’d try to keep the scar small. Under the anesthesia, I told him, “for all the pain I’ve endured, make it big, I want a good story to tell”. So I have a 6 inch long, half inch wide scar on my right shoulder."
FAQs
Where do UCSD students go to the beach? ›
Located just west of campus below the Torrey Pines Gliderport, Salk Institute, and La Jolla Farms, Black's Beach is famous for its natural beauty and great surf.
Do UCSD students go to the beach? ›Many UCSD students run, walk, bike, or scouter their way down to Glider Port to catch the vibrant sunset over the cliffs and enjoy the refreshing ocean breeze. This spot is a UCSD favorite because of its close proximity to campus and breathtaking views.
Where is the best beach for sunbathing in La Jolla? ›La Jolla Shores Beach
In fact, it's one of the best San Diego beaches if not the best. It's a wide, sandy beach perfect for sunbathing and swimming. La Jolla Shores Beach is a 1-mile long stretch of beach that sits just south of the Village (downtown La Jolla).
Try this 1.1-mile out-and-back trail near La Jolla, California. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 40 min to complete.
What is the number 1 beach in San Diego? ›La Jolla Shores Beach is the best beach in San Diego because not only is there a wide stretch of sand for general beach-going, it's also an access point to the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park. This human-made ecological reserve is home to an abundance of sea life with unusually clear water for California.
What is the hippie beach in San Diego? ›Known for its laid-back hippie beach vibe, Ocean Beach, San Diego—also referred to as “OB”—is a favorite of locals and visitors looking for a chill, off-the-beaten-path experience in Southern California. Located just north of Point Loma, the small coastal neighborhood sits at the very end of Highway 8.
Where do the Kardashians go in La Jolla? ›They did it in style at the La Valencia Hotel while while being filmed for their reality TV show. They filmed throughout the charming hotel including an evening pool scene.
What is the least crowded beach in La Jolla? ›Black's Beach
Offering silence, solitude and ocean views, Black's Beach is a gem beneath La Jolla's tall oceanside bluffs of Torrey Pines. It spans from Torrey Pines Beach to Scripps Beach, about 3 miles north of the more crowded La Jolla Shores.
- Coronado Beach. ...
- North Pacific Beach. ...
- South Carlsbad State Beach. ...
- Imperial Beach City Beach. ...
- Silver Strand State Beach. ...
- Del Mar North Beach. ...
- Cardiff State Beach. ...
- San Onofre Surf Beach.
She and seven other people died after two boats capsized off Black's Beach late Saturday in what authorities described as a human smuggling attempt. Local authorities called it one of the deadliest maritime events in San Diego history.
What is the blackest beach in the world? ›
Ureki Beach: Georgia
Regarded as the only magnetic black sand beach in the world, this stretch of soft black sand sits along the country of Georgia's Black Sea coast in the small coastal town of Ureki.
Black Sands Beach, California
The only black sand beach in the continental United States is a well-worth-it five-hour drive from Sacramento. It's rugged, sharp, and not ideal for swimming or sunbathing; dogged surfers admire the wild tides and waves from afar since the waters are too dangerous to enter.
GPA (Grade-Point Average) Requirement
California residents must earn a GPA of 3.0 (or better) with no grade lower than "C." Non-California residents including International applicants must earn a GPA of 3.4 (or better) with no grade lower than a "C."
UCSD is among the US Public Ivy colleges, whose objective is to provide students with the same quality of education as can be found in Ivy League's private colleges. As an important contributor in research activities, the university comprises of 6 undergraduate schools.
Is UCSD a dry campus? ›ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AT CAMPUS PROPERTIES AND EVENTS
The purchase, sale, service, consumption, distribution, and possession of Alcoholic Beverages on all UC San Diego Grounds and Facilities and Events is permitted only at: a. University Grounds and Facilities specifically designated by the Chancellor or their designee.
The least crowded beaches in San Diego are San Onofre State Beach, areas of Torrey Pines State Beach, and Black's Beach. These beaches tend to receive fewer visitors because access requires some walking, hiking, and/or an entrance fee.
What is the most laid back beach in San Diego? ›Roughly 30 minutes from downtown, Solana Beach is a great place if you want to be close to the beach but not too far from central San Diego. One of the more laid-back neighborhoods, there are a number of great juice bars and coffee places to relax at.
Why is it called Blacks beach in San Diego? ›Black's Beach was named for the Black family who had a horse ranch overlooking the beach. They sold the land, and then it was subdivided into La Jolla Farms lots. The Farms' residents retained the Black family's private road to the beach.
Where is the best beach in San Diego to find shells? ›What San Diego beaches are good for shell collecting? One of the best areas for finding shells would be at the north end of Tourmaline Surfing Beach in the Pacific Beach section of San Diego -- which also has a nice parking lot.
Why is La Jolla beach sand black? ›As it turns out, the sand is largely composed of an iron ore called magnetite, which, as its name suggests, is highly magnetic. It's derived from the erosion of igneous rocks in the Sierra Nevadas.
Why is La Jolla so popular? ›
La Jolla's biggest draw for locals and visitors alike are the beautiful beaches. During the summer and autumn months, the surf is relatively gentle, with warm waters in 70s. Swimmers, snorkelers, scuba divers, kayakers and surfers can enjoy the golden sands of La Jolla Shores, the Cove and Windansea.
Where did Kris Jenner live in San Diego? ›Early life: Born Kristen Mary Houghton, the Kardashian-Jenner matriarch grew up in La Jolla in San Diego, California.
Do celebrities live in La Jolla? ›While Los Angeles is the home of Hollywood where film stars work, places like La Jolla, Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, and the surrounding area are where many of those same celebrities prefer to call home.
What is the nicest part of La Jolla? ›Downtown La Jolla is the best spot to stay during your visit to La Jolla because it offers walkable access to most of La Jolla's most famous attractions, like La Jolla Cove, the La Jolla sea caves, and the Children's bar. Downtown La Jolla also has the highest concentration of boutique restaurants, bars, and shopping.
Which beach is best to relax La Jolla? ›Marine Street Beach
If you're hoping to have a relaxing day soaking up the sun or playing in the waves, this is one of the best beaches in La Jolla!
Prominently located at the top of the Country Club neighborhood overlooking the picturesque Village toward amazingly vast panoramic ocean views, the iconic Foxhill Estate is among La Jolla's largest and most legendary residential properties, on 6.24 acres with a recently updated and expanded 20,000+ SF main home and ...
What is the whitest beach in San Diego? ›Coronado is one of San Diego's most popular beaches with soft white sand, many watersports, and the iconic Hotel Del Coronado as the backdrop.
What is the most walkable beach in San Diego? ›Mission Beach, in the heart of San Diego California, has a concrete boardwalk that stretches about 2 miles from Mission Beach to Pacific Beach. It's a great place to walk on a sidewalk if you like to be where the action is.
What is the prettiest beach in California? ›- Seacliff State Beach. Best for wildlife spotting. ...
- Pfeiffer Beach – Big Sur. Best beach for photography and long walks. ...
- Huntington Beach. ...
- El Matador State Beach – Malibu. ...
- Sonoma Coast State Park. ...
- Baker Beach – San Francisco. ...
- The Lost Coast. ...
- Tourmaline Beach – La Jolla.
Black's Beach (Intermediate to Advanced)
The waves here are some of the longest and most powerful in Southern California, which is why it's not recommended for beginners.
Does Blacks Beach still exist in San Diego? ›
Black's Beach is San Diego's exclusive clothing-optional beach on the cusp of Torrey Pines and La Jolla. The hike to get down here is rigorous but extremely scenic. The northern portion of Black's Beach is owned and managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
Can you drink alcohol on Blacks Beach? ›The north portion of Black's is clothing-optional, where nudists bask in the sun and play volleyball without bathing suits. In general, dogs are not allowed on beaches during the day. Alcohol, smoking and beach fires are not permitted.
Where is the pink sand beach? ›Pink Sand Beach - Eleuthera & Harbour Island in The Bahamas.
What is the dirtiest beach in the world? ›Kamilo Beach, which translates from Hawaiian to “twisting or swirling currents” is more often known as “Plastic Beach.” It's one of the dirtiest places in the world.
What is the whitest beach in America? ›Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
This little treasure routinely tops the list of best beaches. Located in the Kailua on the Windward East side of Oahu in Hawaii, Lanikai Beach is over a half-mile long beach with clear blue waters cascading over the soft, white sand.
Green sand is the rarest color of sand in the entire world. It's caused by a special type of volcanic eruption in which olivine crystals (which are green) are brought to the surface of the earth.
Why can't you swim in black sand beaches? ›Because they're formed by black lava flows (i.e., volcanic eruptions), black sand beaches are often not safe for swimming, and they can be a little difficult to get to, with rocky trails, crowded parking lots, and entrance fees.
Can you take sand from black sand beach? ›The best way to enjoy the beautiful beaches is to sit back, relax, and take lots of pictures while you are here. Part of the reason that it is not legal to take any sand or rocks is that the black sand is a limited resource and it actually decomposes very quickly compared to other types of sand.
What is the closest beach to University of San Diego? ›Beach Areas
Located 15 minutes west of USD (by car), Mission Beach/Mission Bay is a popular place for USD graduate students to live. Mission Beach/Mission Bay offers apartment living close to the beach.
The distance between Pacific Beach and UC San Diego School of Medicine is 5 miles. The road distance is 6.7 miles.
Is UCSD close to the ocean? ›
Although living off campus can be costly, La Jolla is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on three sides and is home to some of the most beautiful beaches along the west coast, providing the perfect setting for recreational activities such as surfing, bike riding and sunbathing.
Does UCSD have its own beach? ›Scripps Beach is adjacent to the UCSD Scripps Institution of Oceanography campus in northern La Jolla.
What is the best beach in San Diego not crowded? ›The least crowded beaches in San Diego are San Onofre State Beach, areas of Torrey Pines State Beach, and Black's Beach. These beaches tend to receive fewer visitors because access requires some walking, hiking, and/or an entrance fee.
Why is UCSD famous? ›UC San Diego is a student-centered, research-focused, service-oriented public institution that provides opportunity for all. Recognized as one of the top fifteen research universities worldwide, a culture of collaboration sparks discoveries that advance society and drive economic impact.
What is the average GPA for UCSD? ›Average GPA: 4.07
The average GPA at UCSD is 4.07. This makes UCSD Extremely Competitive for GPAs. (Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. With a GPA of 4.07, UCSD requires you to be at the top of your class.
UC San Diego is located in the residential neighborhood of La Jolla of northern San Diego, bordered by the communities of La Jolla Shores, Torrey Pines, and University City.
Is it safe to swim at Blacks beach? ›4. A 'submarine canyon' fuels the high surf. A submarine canyon (which is essentially a steep-sided valley cut into the seabed) funnels powerful swells into Black's Beach, making it still one of the more popular surf spots but dangerous for inexperienced swimmers. Swimming here isn't generally recommended.
Is Ocean Beach a nice area in San Diego? ›Ocean Beach is a neighborhood in San Diego, California with a population of 7,277. Ocean Beach is in San Diego County and is one of the best places to live in California. Living in Ocean Beach offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes.
Do people swim in the ocean in San Diego? ›With lovely weather, sunny coastlines, and the tempting waves of the Pacific Ocean beckoning from the shoreline, San Diego is the perfect place to go swimming, surfing, and so much more.
How long is La Jolla Shores beach? ›La Jolla Shores is a sandy beach approximately 1 mile long located in the community of La Jolla. In summer, waves at this beach are usually the most gentle of all San Diego beaches. La Jolla Shores is adjacent to the San Diego La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve.
What are San Diego beaches known for? ›
70 miles of glorious coastline is San Diego's signature attraction. Discover the best beaches for families and off-leash dogs, beaches coveted by the world's top surfers and the best beaches for bonfires, bike rides, tide pooling and more.
Is the beach free in San Diego? ›San Diego has 17 miles of coastline, and the beaches are beautiful (and free).