My Identity

Through my life experiences and the influence of my family members, I’ve gained a personal and unique perspective on life. I consider these perspectives to be my identity. In addition to my perception of the world around me, my life experiences have contributed to the formation of my moral values, as well as my distinct personality traits. I have evolved into the person I am today because of my strong family oriented background and experiences.
Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by my cousins, all of whom were amazing pianists. When I was seven years old, I had the opportunity to follow in their footsteps and take piano lessons with them. A whole new world opened up to me. Music became a source of joy, expression, and creativity. The

basis of my work ethic originates to the hours spent at the piano bench, learning and perfecting a new piece. The piano, though it may seem to be just an instrument, means more to me than just music. The piano is a symbol of dedication, discipline, and love.
Pictionary.

The fast paced game of drawing and guessing. Let me set the scene: it’s late on Christmas night and all of my cousins are gathered around the dining room table shouting out their guesses for a drawing of what appears to be a dog wearing glasses. The correct answer is actually teddy bear. We then proceed to yell at the drawer for being rather terrible at drawing and causing our team to lose our turn. Pictionary is a tradition in my family that started when we realized it was the only board game my grandmother owned, and throughout the years, it has become grounds for cousin bonding. It’s not always as pleasant as it seems, however. If you take ten highly competitive and stubborn people and make them play a game together, it will turn savage. Screaming matches, angrily storming out of the room, and throwing the board to the ground are just some examples of when Pictionary gets out of hand. Though these actions may seem barbaric to an outsider, the memories and laughter that come from this game are special to me. These special nights have taught me to appreciate and love my family members. My family is a part of who I am and where I come from. I value strong family bonds and this game is a clear example of that. Silly as it sounds, Pictionary with my family is what I most look forward to on big

holidays.
As a child I was joyful, excited, and passionate. I had the privilege to have never felt sorrow until I was 12 years old when my father unexpectedly passed away. That’s when my world turned upside down. Distraught and confused, I was reserved and quiet in the weeks following his death. My entire family was in a state of denial, anger, and heartache. Everyone was mourning in different ways, which made for a long holiday season. After a while, things started to lighten up. I realized that my father wouldn’t have wanted us to sit around and grieve but rather, he would have wanted us to celebrate his life and remember him on a joyful note. Through personal experience, I’ve learned that the loss of a loved one is the hardest misfortune someone can go through. At times, it feels like you’re sitting at the bottom of a dark and rainy abyss with no exit. However it may seem, no matter the situation, you can get through it and come out stronger. My father’s death has influenced who I am today by helping me understand the reality of how short and beautiful life really is. I strive to make the best out of everyday and always look on the bright side. My optimistic nature is a quality I try to bring to any tough situation life faces me with.