My thick coiled curls covered the taped frames of my crooked glasses as I slouched in the seat of my wooden desk. I anxiously scanned the room, heart racing, certain that my wrinkled hand-me-down clothes and my outdated book bag were the topic of the constant whispers and laughter that surrounded me. Like a visitor in a foreign country, I observed my new surroundings, assured that I did not belong. It was my first day in a new school and I had never felt so out of place. My mother desperately desired new opportunities that my previous poverty stricken environment did not encourage so we relocated to a middle class neighborhood. Because of my background, unfamiliar to my privileged peers, I feared that I did not fit in. This crippled me to believe that I could not achieve the same success in life as those with easier circumstances. Throughout my experiences, however, I have learned that many of the limitations we face in life are the ones that we impose on ourselves. …show more content…
The nights I went hungry to make sure my siblings were fed only fueled my desire to break the barriers that were associated with the poor socioeconomic status that I came from. Graduating high school was not expected of me, let alone attending college. This only motivated me to defy the odds and achieve what had never been done in my family before. I refused to let my finances or lack thereof limit me from being the first person in my family to attend college. I worked full time throughout my college career, and although shortly interrupted due to financial hardships, I overcame these obstacles and became the first person in my family to earn a
Ask my teachers, friends, coaches, and family, they’ll all tell you that I’m mature. The way I hold myself responsible for my life, my studies, and my activities through the good and bad is a unique quality about me that they admire, but also know little to nothing about.
In the 7.125 billion people existing in the world right now, I make up only a tiny portion of this large population. It is rare that we contemplate about these type of things, most likely because there’s already enough tasks occupying our minds, or we just want to escape the dark reality of our existence and how we’re all specks of dust within the galaxy. But on a side note, although our lives may seem insignificant at times, we can rest assured knowing that there isn’t anyone else quite like ourselves...or is there? Of course there’s always the possibility that we have a doppelgänger living in Antarctica that befriends penguin carcasses, but what really defines us as individuals is our personality, interests, and hobbies; setting us apart from the 7.125 billion people living on this giant hunk of rock.
From my birth, I assumed the role of the underdog. Born to a mother who was only fifteen years old, and later raised by my mother and grandmother along with six other siblings in an impoverished inner city neighborhood without the benefit of a father or any other familial male influence in my life, I have always been cognizant of what the statistics predicted would be the likely outcome of my life. Yet somehow, at an early age, I relished the role of the underdog and used it as a means for motivating myself, my siblings, and even my own mother, to pursue those things that appeared to be beyond our reach from a social and economic perspective. Chief among the motivating factors in my life was the idea of obtaining an education. For as
In the novel life lessons:two experts on death and dying teach us the mysteries of life and living. The novel talks about many lessons such as
I’ve always been partial to the cold; it’s not that I’ve object to living in warmth, but I have, since a foolishly young child, thought that life’s worth more when the cold fronts begin settling in. Winter was always when I felt I could truly come alive. Much like the darkness of night, winter heralded in the idea that if less of the world might be available, everything else around you can become that much more beautiful. These ideals were true for so long…but then the temperature eventually hit a critical zero, and I, for quite some time, finally felt the weight under many seasons of frost. This story is seeing that frost, and trying to thaw afterwards.
I was born and raised in Kerala, India, son of an arranged married couple with Indian ancestry. I am the eldest son with one little brother. Because I am the eldest child in the family I have to be little responsible and a good role model for my brother, and my younger cousins. Last four years of my life was like a magic to me. I would say those for the toughest time period I had to face. Some times I wish, “can this all be a dream and go back to my 5th grade year”. I don’t know, fifth grade till my eighth grade was the best years of my life. I could still remember visiting my cousins and family every week, visiting friends, playing cricket, family dinners, and so on. Four years ago, I moved to America. I still remember the exact date-April 18,
It was a warm, sunny day in the middle of June. I held my little boy’s hand tightly as we walked through the exit of my high school. In my other hand, I felt the smooth, heavy leather case that housed my high school diploma. I had done it. I had graduated on time, same as my childless classmates. As an adolescent mother, I had beaten the towering odds that were relentlessly stacked against me. I tear rolled down my cheek as my son and I made our way back to the group home in which we lived. No one was there to greet us, or to celebrate this incredible accomplishment, but I was proud of myself, and at that moment, that had to be enough. This was a turning point in my life; I knew that I could achieve whatever I put my mind to, and if only I had known back then how right I was. From that moment on, and from every life experience thereafter, I knew I was meant to assist others in finding their strength, as well as finding the courage and motivation to achieve their goals.
I believe that in everything I do, I do to please God and not man. This belief plays a vital role in my personal and professional life. Throughout my life, I used to be very timid and afraid of everything. How I felt about myself and the things I do, was based on how other people treated me, approve of me or the need to receive recognition of others. I used to look toward people for gratification and appreciation; that resulted me into finding myself often feeling wearisome, disappointed, and overlooked. I continuously lived this vicious addictive cycle of pleasing others, which is known as a people pleaser. Then one day, I decided that in order for me to live the life that I wanted to live; then I needed to reevaluate myself and my beliefs.
My educational life has provided me with the infrastructure that your position requires. I developed myself at the point of research, self-motivation, entrepreneurship and different skills. I would like to point out that I am extremely selfless and enthusiastic about being effective and fast in my business life, and I want to be interested in the responsibility that the position requires and willing to take on my business. I am aware of that working attentively and carefully will definitely result in success. For this reason, I have no doubt that I can contribute to your abilities and work
When I was 12 years old my life used to be really simple. I lived in Colombia with my father and stepmother. My father was the principal at a local public school That he created by himself. Economically, we were really good, I used to study in a private school, we lived in a comfortable apartment, We lived in a good area and my dad payed for many academies of different sports and arts for me to join. I took guitar classes for over 6 months, joined a roller skate team and a soccer team.
Standing at the threshold of complete maturity, I see the demise of my childish understanding and approach to life. Taking few but monumental ideas, which are manifested in every day situations, and having them develop into to a mindset. Most of which is always checking if at anytime my choices would put me in a disposition. I also see process it takes to reach my goals. These values are seen and incorporated throughout a business, or any work environment. It occurred to me that likewise these values are exemplified in school as a matter of preparation to become the man or women we need to be.
It is funny how the most devastating tragedies in life are also the most inspirational. As a young child, I have always been gifted with a capability comprehend many subjects, but I never really had the drive to push myself harder. Luckily, this lack of determination has changed over the years because of significant events in my life. I am not happy about some of the choices I have made, but the choices I have made have molded me into the person I am today.
When something bad happens to you, you think “Why me?” When something irreversible changes you for the rest of your life, the only choice you have is to work even harder to see the cloud’s silver lining. Unfortunately, this applies to my family and the things I’ve had to endure. You could call my unfortunate events “a dealing of bad cards”. The way I see it is, it’s only a bad hand, so I can still win the game. My life started in San Jose, California. Our family consisted of my mom, dad, little brother, and I, living in a small town called Campbell. Money was a big issue and no matter where my parents looked, there was nowhere else in California they could find to fit the financial budget, and somewhere where my little brother
Life is so unpredictable. This morning I was shared the bitter news of my first cousins unfortunate death. Growing up with Anessia, I distinctly remember the summers spent at our grandparents house as kids. We were always up to something; whether it be playing at the park at the elementary school across the street, site-seeing Idaho's beautiful waterfalls with her, my sisters, and mother, or just being young and using our imaginations to be whatever we wanted to be. Sometimes life isn't fair, and I'll never comprehend why you were denied the privilege of living life beyond 20 years old, but I do know the life you lived will fondly be missed. 18 years of life with you wasn't nearly enough, but the memories will forever stay near to my heart.
My greatest challenge was overcoming my social issues. Two years ago I walked through the doors of Montgomery Middle School after moving from another small town...again. Before that, we had moved every year, so I never made lasting friendships.