Describe The World You Come From Analysis

Prompt #1

Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

Life growing up though complicated, was full of great things. I've encountered situations have changed my life for the better and worse. I've had circumstances that have changed the way I view the world and the way I live. Growing up for me was never easy. Especially when I had to assume an important role and responsibilities at a young age. I was partly raised by my older sister, who growing up was my greatest role model. We are two years apart and she's like my twin and best friend. My parents would work most of the time because they're immigrants and finding work was really tough

at times. No work, no money, and because of that sometimes we couldn't pay our monthly bills. I remember having to line up at the long lines of the food banks. When we didn't have food we ate from canned foods. Sometimes we even stayed without water or electricity. Though my life has been full of obstacles, it's moments like these that have allowed me to see how great life is. Yea it's been hard, but I've always had a roof over my head and the most important people people next to me. Growing up I remember I didn't have the best clothes or shoes. Most of them were hand me downs from cousins and family friends. I didn't always have new supplies for school and at times I didn't even have any.

I remember that I would get bullied and picked on because all the kids had everything new except for me and that made me feel inferior to them. Now that I'm older I thank them because they were the ones that motivated me to want something bigger out of life. I thank all the ghetto neighborhoods that I had to live in because they made me not settle for less. And I thank my mother for always have in my back and believing in me. The way that I see it, my education is my only way out. Another thing that really changed and impacted my life was the separation of my parents. I had to step up my game. I went from being the daughter to the mother, the father, the guardian of my siblings and because my older sister was away to college I had to deal with that burden alone. I struggled with depression to insomnia, anxiety attacks and crying every night. Though the situation was hard and up to this point I’m still pulling through. The whole situation worked as a way to draw me closer to God. Which had always been the foundation of our family and my life. Praying, meditating, and reading the scripture really changed the way to approach every situation. It calmed my soul and reminded me that I'm not alone. That there is someone

greater looking over me and has control of everything. The things that I've had to confront throughout my life have been lessons and there’s a reason for everything. They have built me into the brave, courageous and loving person that I am today. Thanks to the value and morals that my family has instilled in me. I'm more ambitious and hungry for the future and my success. I know that I have a great future waiting for me and with the help of God I'll accomplish it.

Prompt #2
Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?_

Growing up my life was always full of color. The streets close to home, everywhere I’d walk there was always a new character with a different face or story. A new color or texture to explore. Many different styles of writing on the wall that were made by professionals or hoodlums. I remember the day that my passion for art had unleashed my eyes to see and find a new talent within myself. Something that I never expected even though I was always drawn to it. It all started during my 8th grade year of middle school. We had something called “intercession” and it was the opportunity for students to sign up for a different class to take for two weeks. I only happened to choose art because all my friends wanted to take it and I wanted to be with them, but it wasn't because I was actually interested in it. Especially because at that time I found art to be pointless and overrated. But then I started to learn the history behind every art piece and the artists that had created it and the time period that it was created. I had encounters with street art, sculptures, and art that had been created centuries before I was born. All that had different stories and hidden messages. All that expressed similar but different emotions. Then I began to see that the simplest display held the most amazing meaning and symbolism if you just looked at the signs. According to Leonardo da Vinci, “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,” and I couldn't agree more. I was eager to learn more. I was able to explore many different artists and their styles, from Michelangelo and Frida Kahlo up to Banksy. All great artists that have marked history and have impacted my life in a unique way. Their stories and accomplishments have led me towards mine. Art has lead me to grow into a more sensible person. To feel and see through a pair of new eyes and to see that it’s ok to feel something towards people and things. Shakespeare once said, “the world has music for those who listen,” and I hear the music, I see it, I feel it. Music that my own hands translate and paint on a piece of wood. For me that is one of my biggest accomplishments. I was never the most open person ever, when it came to expressing what I thought or felt. It was really tough for me. But with my art I’m able to express the truths that I see and the emotions that I can't express. Now when I feel a certain way I go straight to painting. I pick up that paintbrush and let the emotions flow. When I feel anger and enraged I paint in red. The anger that I feel inside I take it out on the wooden piece. When I feel tired and melancholy I paint in blue and my tears help wet the brush that I use to stroke the wood. When I feel overwhelmed of happiness I paint with different colors, all bright, because everything seems brighter when I’m happy. When I feel that i’m battling my inner demons I paint in black to represent my shadows that other can’t sense or see. My great accomplishment is being able to find my own unique style and create art that people adore and love. To create something that I’m proud of. Being proud of creating something that people will enjoy and watch. Art has been the hidden talent that has saved my life for the better.