Nitro Jason Joo

I was sixteen years old, and scared of rollercoasters; this fear had followed me through adolescence and into young adulthood. "C'mon, let's go Joo. It'll be fun!" urged my hyperactive friend. Reluctantly I went to Six Flags with a few buddies, with the full intention of spending the entire day in the arcade.

When we arrived, my friends coaxed me into lining up for Nitro, the biggest rollercoaster in the park. I crept down the long line, realizing what I was in for. With a height of 230 feet and a top speed of 80 miles per hour, Nitro seemed an insurmountable obstacle. As I approached the front of the line, the tracks loomed ominously over me. Before I knew it, I was strapped into the front row. As the cars slowly ascended, I panicked. I didn't think I'd survive. I thought of every possible disastrous scenario until I was rudely interrupted by my friend who told me we were at the apex of the first drop. I peered over the edge and looked into the face of death. As the cars clicked forward, I shut my eyes and braced myself for the fall.

When the rollercoaster hurtled down, I screamed with everyone else. Just a few more seconds I told myself while I was mercilessly thrown into tight turns and...