As far as I remembered, so much has happened over the last 20 years of my life. I have gain so much and loss some as well but in the process I feel as though my life is just beginning. From learning how to crawl, standing up on my own, saying that first word, and finally taking that first baby step. Childhood may seem insignificant because it gives us a vague recollection of our childhood years; however, it is one of the stepping-stones a child has to go through life to refine his/her skills. Being a child is the most exciting and rewarding experiences as an individual could ask for in life for a child can get away to almost anything. Accidentally breaking the cookie jar, wrecking something valuable, doing something wrong, or saying the darnest thing. Subsequently, their is a downside behind those big dreams. I remembered my childhood was not perfect but full of agony and despair. As I walk through life however, I have met countless people that made a difference in my life such as families, friends, peers and even strangers. Furthermore, I experience falling in love and getting heart broken, success and failure, ups and downs.  With the courage and social support I had nevertheless, I easily succumb those challenges. I learned to pick up myself when I stumble and to keep moving on forward even when the situation is arduous and to never give up even if it seems there is no way out.  In my path to self-discovery, I find out more about my interests, my values, my strengths, my weaknesses, my goals, and myself most of all. Knowing oneself is what makes us unique individuals, how we perceive ourselves and how can we relate to others. I was born in this world with the knowledge of a baby's perspective, perceiving the world around me in a black and white picture not knowing what is right or wrong and if its good or bad. Subsequently, having great potential within will help me to thrive on my own in the real world and overcome the hurdles and challenges that lie ahead.

         Throughout my childhood, I was full of dreams, aspirations, and goals that I wanted to achieve.  My dream was to become an engineer, a doctor, a scientist, or become one of the prominent computer expert someday.  I even contemplated being an astronaut like Neil Armstrong, the first human being to set foot on the moon.  When I was in the Philippines, I had learned that it is very difficult to get an education because not everybody can progress to college.  Even though you are smart and if you do not have money, you cannot proceed to college unless your family had a stable income.  When my family and I migrated to the United States years ago, doors of opportunity opened for me and I grasp the chance to be the best that I can be.  Someday I want to have a degree in Medical field, for I know that it will be one of the most prestigious jobs in the near future.  Since I was a child, I always dreamed of being a Doctor.  I am amazed at the things that doctors could do in our lives today.  They help their patient enhance their lifestyle and make them healthy/. Subsequently, getting a degree in Medical field would be a mere contribution that I could repay my family for their abundant support.  Making my parents proud of me is also one of my motive in pursuing these goals that I have, I know that they have put in a lot of effort into my education, and finishing college would be the only way that I could repay their sacrifices.

            On the other hand,  living with parents who work day and night, seven days a week is enough motivation for me to obtain a better education.  Having a family with low-income is difficult, money is an enormous problem.  I know that going to college is expensive.  Therefore, I have to grasp any chances that I have in applying for scholarships that I am qualified.  I also plan to do work-study but I know that it still would not be enough.  My parents cannot afford to pay all my college expenses.  It would take every penny that they have and still it would not be enough to pay for all of it.  This scholarship will only not help me pay for my tuition fees or my books but it also a big help to my parents.  Having these thoughts in my mind, will serve as the catalysts that will drive me to overcome many obstacles that I may encounter.  As a result, I have the opportunity to strengthen myself as well as to further explore new things.

            In terms of exploring something new, I participated in many activities in my junior year such as Governors for Tolerance, Bible Study Club, Fil-Am Club, Hiking Club, and Folk Dance Committee which tested my time management skill.  Participation in these groups have helped me to improve my interpersonal relationships with others.  At first, I struggle to manage my time but applying the things that I have learned at school, I was able to overcome the hurdles that I encountered.  Even though, I was able to overcome this challenges there are still bigger challenges lay ahead.

            Outside of school, I work at McDonald’s.  Being a working student is a very satisfying experience.  I enjoy working because it gives me the opportunity to expand my knowledge about work and learn how to survive in the real world.  Work allows me to be more independent and not rely on my parents so much.  Working after school is a very hard task to maintain because you have to be an energetic and socially well-rounded individual in order to survive on your own in the real world.

            Besides working, I also do volunteer work and do community service for the school, such as coordinating a study group about tolerance.  This study group committee is about promoting tolerance within our society.  We talk about prejudice, racism, and many more problems that our community is facing today.  We discuss these issues and possible solutions to improve the way our society view these issues.  To succeed, one must examine themselves in order to improve their relationships with others.  These relationships help to build and accept diversity among people.

On the other hand, I do not regret my involvement in all the activities that I have joined because I believe that in the real world, a person should be academically and socially well-rounded.  I also learned leadership skills as well as the knowledge that we should always take some initiative to lead other people.  Hence, I know that the knowledge and skills that I gained would come in handy when I am in college.  I know that there is still much to learn and college is the next step in achieving my potentials in life.