All That Has Been My Life

Dear World,

A very old friend of mine encouraged and gave me the idea to share my story in a very abridged but it's entirety so that individual's really understand why it is important that I go to college. The story below is my personal statement that I have released to all of the universities and colleges I have applied to.

Please remember, I am not a victim. One of the greatest lessons I have learned is to suck it up when things get difficult because sitting around and feeling sorry for yourself will get you nowhere. Life isn't fair but you can sure as hell try to make it as fair as you want it to be by getting up and doing something about it, yourself. Regardless of, if you donate or not, here is to sharing my story with as many who will take the time to read or listen, so the world can further understand me and others similar to me as individuals.

All That Has Been My Life

The first thought that forms into my mind is my family. My biological family which will always be mine and the “foster” families with whom I struggled with. I am the second oldest child out of 8 half siblings. My mother is the bloodline which binds most of us together. As of late, I have not been as active in their lives as I once was due to the transition into new relationships and the investment in my future.

I learned at a young age that life isn’t fair and you just have to accept it. If there was anything I could take from all I experienced, it would be refusing to be what others expect from my given circumstances. Refusing to be bitter from how others have treated me, refusing to fall into the footsteps of my parents and refusing to not accept any opportunities which will benefit me or become an individual I am comfortable with.

Once my mother gave birth to her fifth child, my life became increasingly strained. Our family moved out and away from an abusive boyfriend, my favorite brother was taken away and eventually my family and I moved into a housing project.

After watching my sister’s integration into the gang and drug life of the projects, and after my short  journey on that same path, the trait which is described as resilience began to kick in. Although I was abused by friends and those who should have looked after me, and my mother continued her habits of hoarding and abusing prescription drugs while the house was ridden with animal feces and roaches, I continued investing in my individual path.

Then, along came my youngest sister in the middle of facing eviction. My school attendance began to fail and I had to take on the responsibility of my mother. I cared for three young children while my mother was absent due to heavy medication, and the mess, our circumstances and the infestation of animals and insects became worse. Finally, the housing project just evicted us.

An elderly couple from my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, took me in. My life had seemed to change in a complete instant. However, the ugly truth was once again before me. I have absolutely no security, I am completely on my own. My current position, current situation, everything can be changed in an instant. Once I decided to expand my horizons and discover the world for myself, the fact that is my life presented itself. My path and the direction of where it could go was in the hands of the couple and I had no say or control of it myself. If I wanted to lead where it would go, I needed to take control and make an uncomfortable decision- to leave although the future was uncertain.

All on my own. Feeling completely isolated and alone, I eventually became in contact with a school friend. She proved her friendship to me by stepping up and offering to let me live (for however long) with her. Although, once again, my life was changed in an instant.

For about a year I was living with my friend. There were struggles; but as of October I was removed from the home. I was taken by social services and put into the system for a 24 hour period.

I talked with girls who had stories similar to my own while I heard uncertainties of where I was going to be placed. Eventually, I was sent back to my mother. Regardless of the social worker’s obliviousness of the hell that awaited. Although I have new struggles that I currently face I am continuing to invest in my individual path. I am attending my final year of high school, applying to college and I have a job.

Throughout all that has been my life and though the past catches up to me every once in a blue moon, it does not define who I am as an individual or the path I will lead. Through all the circumstances I have had to face, I stand above them, triumphant in not giving up.

Support My Campaign + Reasons Why I Should Attend College

Hey guys! As y'all know I have been accepted into Mary Baldwin in Staunton, VA. They are offering me a $14,000 scholarship + what I can obtain through FASFA. However, in order to reserve my spot in the upcoming Freshman class, I have to attend "orientation". Therefore, I need $$$ for the deposit to attend and the travel to get there.

If anything, I would appreciate it if you took the time to check it out and spread the word. Thank you!

http://www.gofundme.com/moey4o?fb_action_ids=10202509257453174&fb_action_types=og.shares&fb_ref=fb_cr_n

Here's a few other reasons why I should go to college:

Remember when all I would talk about is politics? Now, I am interested in pursuing a career in  government. Forget about small issues like abortion or gay marriage (we'll talk), I want to focus on requirements and restrictions on benefits and enforcing it, I want to focus on establishing rights for youth who face circumstances such as mine and creating a better system so children are not screwed over.  If I don't have this opportunity to attend orientation, I might not have any opportunity to be the change I want to see in this world.

I remember the first time I was in DC, in the middle of walking around, I had a feeling that DC was where I wanted to be. In the center of politics, law and justice.

 Even if at first I am an intern as I was here at the Armed Forces Service Corporation, that would not be possible without any representation of an education.

  What about when all I could talk about is being a lawyer? I would love to be prosecution for criminal law or even constitutional law. This was when I was in Mock Trail. I was a defense attorney for a youth who was facing second degree murder and the possession of a controlled substance. My arguments along with those of my team got my client off of second degree murder. Regardless of the fact I want to be prosecution, how could I or even the other attorneys, put individuals who deserve to be found guilty or innocent without having the opportunity to attend college? Simple, we couldn't.

Winter Formal + College Acceptance

Hey guys... how is life treating ya? For the first time in quite awhile, mine has been quite positive.
The week has been goin' great, everyday something new, exciting and upbeat.

It all started with Monday, I went over to my date's house to hang out. We started out with a movie and very quickly moved on to Mario Karts. After a few stressful rounds, his brother, my date and I watched some random, stupidly hilarious videos on YouTube...talk about a good time! Lastly, stayed for supper and really got to know his family. It was just an enjoyable day with some enjoyable individuals.

Tuesday and Wednesday were great because I didn't technically have to be at school until 11:30..let me just say, if school started at that time everyday, I would be there on time :) Tuesday was nice because I had a moment of triumph in my philosophy class...out of the blue, the quote I chose to share from the homework assignment, was my teachers favorite. Than for one of my TA periods we just watched The Goonies (when is that never a good time) Wednesday was also fabulous because in my 5th period I got to watch one of my favorite movies...Schindler's List.

Now, Thursday was fantabulistic because, I found out I was accepted to Mary Baldwin in VA! I spent about half an hour in disbelief. Mostly due to my scores on the ACT, my second semester grade in Spanish 2 (Mr.Rodriquez) and the fact I hadn't sent everything in yet. I guess, it was my wonderful personal statement...
                                                         

Friday, well the rest of the weekend was the icing on the cake. Friday I went over to my dates house, we continued to have just as great of time as Monday. Saturday was Winter Formal! I went over to Mamma Cook's house and Jill + Jennifer helped with my hair and make-up. Alex was also frikken' adorable because he ran straight up to me and cuddled! Than, I went over to my date's house and we took pictures, had dinner and eventually went to Formal. 

Formal was great! However, not $70 a ticket's worth of fun. Just sayin' Although, I thank my date and everyone involved for the opportunity. Unless you go to church, you really don't have many chances to dress up and I couldn't of asked for more of a gentleman. The night was truly wonderful because of who I had to spend it with...

I hope everyone has a great weekend and Valentine's Day! I know I will ;) 

Life Update

Hey guys! How has life been? Recently, mine has been a whole lot of crazy! Here is a little gallery:


I might have posted the first few already but whateva! This was actually right before I moved to Long Beach, at the time I was visiting Long Beach.

This was the beginning of my first week back. I'm holding a hedge hog and was visiting a family, that has practically raised me since I was 18 months old. 

There have been a ton of changes since last I was in Long Beach! For example, this is my new little buddy, Alex. This was at his first Christmas Performance. 

 This was Christmas Break. I had a day off from work and spent it with my Dad. This was the beginning of the day where we went to our little getaway- Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro.

 Fun Fact: my favorite aquatic animal is a colossal/ giant squid! I know it's weird-but then again so am I :)

                  The next stop was 22nd St. Landing. Cute restaurant which overlooks a marina.

Ok, these are a little out of order. However, before lunch and after the Aquarium, my father and I visited the tide pools near by. Although there were no tide pools, there were rocks and really cool sea shells!

Third and final stop: Knotts Berry Farm. Since my Dad is a veteran, a marine, we got in for free! In the middle of all the random, artsy things goin' on at Knotts that day, there was a Downton Abbey shop! Really cool...

                                For some reason, on this particular day, I was obsessed with Jellyfish.

Ok, so this was the beginning of my 3 week, re-occurring tonsillitis. I had just had an all-nighter (smart, right?) and was exhausted/ very sick. My little buddy Alex decided to snuggle with me. 

First ER trip. In the beginning, I thought I was sick with the flu. However, after three days of surviving on Tylenol Severe Cold and Flu, I decided it couldn't be it. I was right. After 8 hours in the ER, an IV, 102 fever and some blood tests, it was confirmed I had tonsillitis.

Second ER trip. After putting me on Amoxicillin, my tonsillitis did not go away. I had a fever of 103 and was re-hydrated, again. At that point I just wanted to get rid of my tonsils. I also never thought I'd see the day where I allowed an IV in my arm. They are not that bad, after the first few seconds and as long as you don't move your arm. On this trip I was also tested for mono, which came back negative.

After my second ER trip, I still was not feelin' any better. Therefore, I decided to visit my actual doctor, who is actually right across the street from the ER I go to. My doctor prescribed me a different antibiotic and it seemed to be working for awhile. During that period of feeling better, I went out with my Dad again.

This time, we visited my Great Grandmother, who I grew up with probably until 7th grade. Took her a little while to recognize who I was, I think it's my hair. Then, my father and I went to Bubba Gumps in downtown Long Beach. Lastly, we went to the Aquarium of the Pacific. We actually got in for free because we went to the gift shop and happened to walk out when no one was paying attention.

My night didn't end there--I went on a date shortly after the Aquarium. It was fun. I've been on one other date with the guy.

                                                        Again, with the Jellyfish...

                                                       
                                                                My Great-Grandmother

My tonsillitis caused me to have one more ER trip. Finally, after three weeks I believe I am better. 

This is a picture I cam across, and I think it is absolutely hilarious! If anyone knows me well, they know I am a huge fan of John Carpenter's original Halloween. However, this is from the set of Halloween 2.