These lessons life has taught me:

Throughout my life I have gone through many experiences and they have all taught me life lessons. One of the most important lessons I have learned is to always keep my friends and family close to me. No matter what I am going through I can always turn to both of them. My friends are especially close to me and I have no idea where I would be without them. I have learned this lesson through watching other people and also through some of my own actions. I have watched many friends of mine get boyfriends and completely ditch their other friends. Once they break up they realize they have no friends because they betrayed them. This is something I never want to happen in my life. My friends and family will always come before anyone no matter what. I have also learned it is a lot better to keep a few friends really close. My friends are always there for me and I am always there for them. They hold a huge part in my life and I will always cherish them.

These are my unfulfilled desires:

I have many dreams and goals I want to accomplish in my life that I have yet to do. My first main goal in life is to graduate from high school and go to a 4 year school in California. I am pretty sure I will fulfill this goal. Some of my other unfulfilled desires are to get a good job, get married and start a family. I want to be a successful working woman when I am older and not depend on anyone else. Besides these desires I want to start traveling more. Places I want to go are the Italy to visit some of my family, Bahamas, Bermuda and Australia. There are many other places but these are top choices. I have always wanted to travel to these places and I hope one day I will be able to do so. If I can accomplish all of these things in my lifetime I will feel like I lived my life fully.

These are my life's achievements:

I have many life achievements but two of them that stand out to me are going to Costa Rica, and becoming the captain of my cheer team. I went to Costa Rica the summer after 7th grade. When I was there I was really nervous and got home sick but now that I look back on it I am really glad I went. While we were there we did a number of things including; planting trees, rescuing leather back turtles, giving gifts to our home stays, and visiting schools. All of these experiences opened my eyes to a different culture and it still affects my life today. I am so glad I went and it is one of my life achievements. The ability to help people less fortunate than me made me appreciate what I have more. My second achievement was becoming cheer captain my senior year. I was excited when they announced the captains. Although it has been hard at times I have learned many valuable skills including; dedication, team work, leadership and the ability to help others.These are just two of my life achievements and they are very special times in my life.

These scripture texts have lit my path:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

This scripture has always stood out to me and helped me through life. It has mainly helped me with some of my family relationships. Even though it is hard to love my family all the time, this scripture helps me. It mainly helps me get through my struggles with my mom. We have a pretty good relationship but we don't always get along. We often get in fights about little things and make each other upset. When I am going through these tough times with my mom I try and think of this scripture because it is exactly correct. I have to realize that even though I am mad at the time I still love my mom and have to be patient and kind to her. No matter what we are going through I know she will love me and always will be there for me. I not only use this scripture for my relationship for my mom but sometimes with my brother and close friendships.

These influences have shaped my life:

There have been many events in my life that have shaped who I am today. The first one is making my competitive dance team in 5th grade. The second event is making the Bellarmine Cheer Team. Dance took up a lot of time in my life and I grew up with the girls I danced with. We became a family over time and I formed some of the best friendships from dance. At times it was hard, some times I wanted to quit but I kept going and the girls and my dance teachers pushed me also. Dance impacted my life tremendously and it has shaped who I am today. Sophomore year I tried out for cheer and made it. Similarly to dance I have formed so many friendships through cheer and it has been fun. It taught has me many qualities including dedication, leadership and how important hard work is. Through my years of dance and cheer I have learned a lot about myself and formed many life long friendships.

These persons are enshrined within my heart:

My Grandma Boo and Grandpa Steve are so important to me. Without them in my life I have no idea what my life would be like. They live in Gig Harbor so they are usually always around. I am really close with them and have always been. Even though Steve isn't my real grandpa we are so close that it feels like he is. My Grandpa Steve is very intelligent and always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needs it. He always worries about everyone and it shows how much he cares about my family. If they weren't in my life there is a lot of things I wouldn't be able to do. Most importantly I would not be able to receive the education I currently have. For that I am forever grateful they are in my life. They do so much for not only me but my mom and brother. They pay for both of my brother and my education and this has truly shaped my life. I would be in a total different spot if both of them weren't in my life and they are such good role models in my life.