Category: About Myself

My History

I came into this world on April 26th, 1999. I came into this world without being aware of the advantages I already had just from being a white girl. I came into this world and little did I know that a few months later, one of the most well-respected female athletes would win her first title. It was on a hot summer day in 1999 when Serena Williams won her first U.S. Open Women’s Singles Tennis Championship at the U.S. Open. Twenty years ago, Williams became the first African-American woman to reach such an achievement since Althea Gibson won in 1958. Little did Williams know the impact she was going to have on women, especially on women of color. Despite all of the wins, Serena Williams faces racism. Whether it is on the court or off the court, she has to face it daily. As a white female athlete or simply as a white female, I do not have to face the same daily challenges as she does. Despite the strong woman she is, white supremacy, and white privilege is impregnated into our society and separated this country. In this essay, my family’s relationship to white supremacy, how ethnoracial hierarchy shaped my life, and how ethnoracial identity hierarchy support or challenges theories of race and ethnicity will be examined through a different lens and compared with different readings.

To begin with, I asked my parents what was our family’s relationship with white supremacy. Both my mom and my stepdad said “none”. My family and I do not believe that white people are superior to people of other races, therefore we are aware that being white means being privileged and that historical events have shaped our lives. Serena Williams would say otherwise. She expressed in the reading called “Beyonce, Serena Williams Open Up about Potentially Fatal Childbirths, a problem, especially for Black Mothers” that she experienced the structure of society within political, economic, and social settings. In her case, she explained that the health system will shape who gets sick, how they experience their condition, and how they will be diagnosed (10/29). Furthermore, “many studies have shown that racial disparities exist in health care. For example, doctors largely disregard or discount complaints of pain by black patients more frequently than they do for white patients.” (Allyson Chiu).

Things are very different depending on how society categorizes you. Before coming to the United States for school, I grew up in a small town in the province of Quebec. I grew up speaking French and only started speaking English six years ago. Historical events such as the European settlement and the October Crisis shaped my family’s social history. Without Canada’s European settlement in 1534, I would not be able to say that I am French from Quebec or even say that I come from European ancestors. The European settlement has shaped my family’s social history. Thank you to the French explorer named Jacques Cartier who sailed across the Atlantic Ocean from Europe to the Gulf of St. Lawrence (J.J McCullough). A bridge connecting the south shore of Montreal and Montreal was issued to his name as a recognition of his findings. Later on, Samuel de Champlain, another French explorer, got things going (J.J McCullough). He founded a colony called New France which sat along the coast of St. Lawrence (J.J McCullough). As a governor, he named and founded several cities which still exist today. The creation of these cities was mostly for farmers, fur traders, and fishermen. In 1608, Quebec City was founded, followed by Trois-Rivières in 1634, and Port-Royal in 1605. Although Samuel de Champlain’s death slowed things down, New France’s new governor established the settlement of Montreal in 1642. Since then, the French population still existed although it went through many obstacles. Another event that shaped my family’s social history is the October Crisis, also known as The Conflict with Quebec. It was the struggle of French-speaking residents of Quebec who struggled to maintain their unique culture when facing the English pressure to assimilate. Similar, but not as extreme, this relates to the reading called “Indigenous Assimilation and Absorption in the United States and Australia”. The practice of removing indigenous children from their families and communities is somewhat similar to trying to assimilate the French population. Although things were done differently in the United States compared to Australia, assimilation was practiced through different forms and was known as the “whitewash” (Ellinghaus, K). After the death of Maurice Duplessis who was Quebec’s long-serving ultraconservative prime minister, French-Canadian went through the phase known as the Quiet Revolution. Most of the province’s wealth was in the hands of a few English families until Quebec became more secular and industrialized. New businesses put more wealth into French-Canadian hands. Although the English were not able to assimilate everyone, Quebec felt like it was different from the rest of Canada. Separatism and the idea of becoming an independent country began to grow in popularity after the war (J.J McCullough). Rene Levesque was elected prime minister in 1976, which led him to have a referendum in 1980 so Quebec could separate from Canada (J.J McCullough). Thankfully, it failed, but the dynamic of Canadian-Quebec relations has changed since.

These historical events mentioned in the previous paragraph have shaped my life in many different ways. First of all, for a long time, Quebec’s population consist of a majority of white people. In fact, in 2011, the racial composition of Quebec was 87,2 percent white, 11 percent minority groups, and 1.4 percent Aboriginal (World Population Review). Having a dominant white society affected my family’s position in the ethnoracial hierarchy especially for my grandparents because they were born with the idea that white is at the top of the hierarchy. Since the percentage of minority groups was lower, they were somewhat ignorant of the advantages they had from being white. This changed when new immigrants came into the country. In 2012, around 55,000 immigrants came to Quebec (World Population Review). The government believed it was too many which speaks about this belief that Quebec holds. Quebec wants to maintain its white supremacy and French cultural values. When immigrants started coming into our country, I remember my dad saying very racist comments about it. For example, in my hometown, many Mexicans came and started working in the fields during the summer. My dad was worried that they were going to take over and that we were going to lose our language. He was afraid that they were going to take all our jobs, and eventually dominate to population. Back then, I did not realize that his comments were racist. Like it explains in the reading called “Black Workers Really Do Need to Be Twice as Good”, unemployed or employed workers are more likely to be seen as less skilled because of more consistent or prolonged unemployment (Gillian B.White ). Therefore, it does not say that the people from the minority are not employed because the jobs that they apply for do not want to employ people from minority groups. The unemployment rate never even topped 10 percent for whites (Gillian B.White ). Although these stats are from the U.S., I am sure that it is somewhat similar in Canada. Now there are many people of color in Quebec and it does not bother me like most “old-school” thinking people. Despite my advantages, I recognize what people from minority groups have to go through. Their well-being is more much important than keeping the population white.

On a more personal aspect, I grew up with inherited advantages without being aware of them. I grew up in a very segregated neighborhood. Still to this day, my neighborhood is mostly white. The house I live in is a house that not many people from the minority groups could afford, and a house in which most minority groups would not be accepted in simply because the majority of the residents are white. Residential segregation is very evident when looking at different cities throughout the entire world. In the reading called “Does Race Matter in Residential Segregation,” it explained that the communities that were far away from the minority areas received the highest grading in their rating whereas the communities that were minorities and in the process of changing were at the lowest rate. It came to my surprise when I saw that the “unstable neighborhood” were pushed away from everyone else. In order for them to stay away from that neighborhood, they built a wall which I think is totally repugnant. Now that they were protected from the Black neighbors, they were safe, apparently. These mediating structures did everything to stay away from the Blacks( Emerson, M.G. and K. Chais). It is upsetting to see that they did those procedures just because their neighbors had different skin colors, yet they are not all dangerous. Race does not mean a thing.

As a French Canadian, I have felt like I have been an insider and an outsider. Anyone from Quebec has a lot of pride in being a Quebecer. Being born as a “Québécois” has become a symbolic and social boundary. We are one big community and as individuals, we like to think we are different. Since Quebec is the only province in Canada with the majority of people speaking French, the language is something we want to protect. We like to be distinguished by our language and way to do things. I felt like an insider when some of my English friends came to visit me. I am fortunate enough to be able to speak two languages, therefore for most Quebecers, the language barrier is existent since French is the only language they can speak. I felt like an insider before I opened up to the English world. Most Quebecers are very closed-off which makes it hard for them to see what is across the borders. On the other hand, I felt like an outsider when I was trying to figure out what my identity really was. When I started speaking more English and meeting English people, I thought to myself “Wow, there is so much more than just the province of Quebec, and being a French girl.” Speaking a second language was really eye-opening to me, yet I struggled to find who I truly wanted to be. I felt like a stranger when I came into the English world because I had a strong accent, and people could differentiate me from anyone else. It is somewhat similar to the reading called “I’m white in Barcelona, but In Los Angeles I’m Hispanic”. The reading explains how one person can be raised in Barcelona and think of themselves as a White person, therefore when they go to the United States, they are perceived as being Hispanic. In fact, in the 2010 census, 53 percent of Hispanics identified themselves as whites (PRI.2015.) In this case, I think a lot of it also has to do with language. We associate certain languages with certain races. I even questioned myself sometimes wondering if I am more my true self as a French Canadian or just Canadian. Here in the United States, I am known as the French girl, but when I go home to my family, I am known as the English girl. To add, now that I am studying here in the United States, I somewhat feel like an outsider simply because I am not in my mother country, yet at the same time, I have been very comfortable with being who I am. I am proud that I can use both my French and English personalities to communicate with people. The two different identities are very important to me, and their significance has grown since I have been an outsider trying to be an insider.

. Citizenship is something people take pride in. I am very proud to be a Canadian. Though there are some days that I think about my future, and I have to think about what I want to do after college. Possibly after school, I will be wanting to stay here in the U.S. to play hockey and eventually find a job. At some point, I would be able to get full citizenship if I end up wanting to stay, and who knows, marry someone for the U.S. . As a white female, I would not have as much trouble getting into the system or simply “fit in”. If I was someone of color, it would be a different story. This idea of double consciousness would be something I would have to deal with. People of the race with two citizens are conscious of who they are and how they are perceived by other people. As defined in the class, double consciousness is this concept of two, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings. Confliction in self-identity because seen in a different way, yet think of the self in a different way. Conscious of who you are, but conscious of how the world views you (10/03). In Du Bois’s article “Of Our Spiritual Strivings”, he expresses the following: “One ever feels his two-ness,—an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder” (Du Bois, W.E.B). This passage reflects on the definition defined above, and how minority groups experience this double consciousness without anyone noticing. For me things are much simpler, I just have to worry about being my best self, whereas minority groups worry about who they are and how they should be.

To end off, as we grow up we realize that we come into this world, and history has already shaped the kind of life we will be living based on race, gender, and social status. History has a lot more power than we think on who we are today, and how much we benefit from the system. If we start looking in within ourselves and others, we could actually learn to celebrate our love for each other. This world keeps dividing, yet we need everyone to come together and believe that being white is not what is needed in order to be successful, accepted, and loved.

It is unfair to define African identity, without drawing the attention on cultural identity in its broad and narrow sense. According to Ndubuisi, cultural identity can be understood as a ‘geo-political and socio-cultural entity’ (Ndubuisi 2). That is to say, as Poole puts it in his book Nation and Identity, ‘It may well be that every significant identity carries with it a sense of place and provides its bearers with a special relationship to that place.’ (Poole 127,128) Furthermore, he highlights on the significance of culture arguing that:

If my identity is formed within a certain culture, then it defines my fundamental perspective on the world, constitutes me as a member of a community, provides me a set of memories and aspirations, and thus with a past and a future, and it gives me a place which is mine. My cultural identity defines who I am; and when I envisage the loss of that identity, I am confronted with the thought that I will lose my sense of self and cease to be what I am. (Ibid, 119)

Fundamentally speaking, each individual feels somewhat the need to be identified with a group of people, to be involved in a ‘collective existence.’ (Poole 14) In the case of African cultural identity, Thiongʼo argues, ‘the exploration of the African consciousness is part, a very important part, of that larger theme: the search for an identity in an essentially colonial situation: ‘Who are we, where do we come from; and where do we go from here?’.’ (Thiongʼo 89)

To fully understand the dynamisms of African cultural identity, one ought to dive in into myriad of cultural frameworks. These frameworks fundamentally distinguish Africans from other ethnicities; they provide Africans with a sense of belonging, moreover. It is significant to say that the metaphysical beliefs are immensely essential in Africans’ lives. For instance, Agorsah, in his book Religion, Ritual and African Tradition, argues that ‘according to Yoruba tradition, most diseases and deaths have supernatural causes of witchcraft, curses, or charms. Witches are usually elderly women thought to possess some spiritual or concrete witchcraft substance.’ (Agorsah 12) Moreover, he also claims that ‘many of the rituals involve libations or sacrifices, during which tradition recounts various life situations and thus persuade the participants to realize that all wickedness will be punished, all good rewarded, while in the long run, Providence makes justice prevail.’ (Ibid, 64)

Religion has an essential role in shaping the African behaviour, as Naaman asserts in his article, ‘African Traditional Religion a Sub~structure for Sustainable Development in Africa: A Kenyan Perspective’, Africans eat religiously, dance religiously, trade religiously and organize their societies religiously; but this is done in a holistic manner, without any dichotomy of the material and the spiritual.’ (Naaman 5)

Our objective is to change the world into a united, color-blind society. Instead, we intend for, as my father advocated, people, to be “judged by the content of their character.”

As a little boy, I remember receiving inequitable treatment. As naïve as I was, I never understood why I was treated so differently from the white children. As far as I was concerned, we were all the same; human. I remember constantly moving, and never residing in the same house for too long. I remember having to be cautious around potentially dangerous white people, everywhere I went, including those entrusted with the protection of our community.

My childhood was considerably the scariest time of my life – you never knew who to trust, what was good or bad, or what was correct in the eyes of the whites. My mind was struggling to grasp the nature of the sadistic ways of the world. The feelings I felt were inexplicable, as were those of other blacks growing up during the segregation period. I do not have children yet, but I hope and pray that the day I do, the world will be a changed place, for the better. I hope it will be clean of the racism that still plagues our world.

When my father gave his greatest speech for blacks, ‘I Have a Dream, it inspired them, gave them hope, and brought them peace. However, when the whites saw the hope that my father had given the blacks, they caused an uproar in wild, racist attacks, killing hundreds of black people. The hope that my father had given the blacks, inspired them to never stop fighting. In return, the whites took the life of the source of this hope, my father, Martin Luther King. Because they tried to prove their superiority, it showed us their perspective on the future and struck fear into our hearts. They used this fear against us and showed us that we could do nothing about it.

Throughout my years, I have acted in movies relating to my family and racism against blacks in times of segregation. I have written books about my youth and what it was like for my family, growing up in those strenuous times. I wrote about how we were middle-class citizens, of a higher rank than most African-Americans, and yet, were still mistreated. Although my efforts to raise awareness of racism may seem much, I still believe there is far more work to be done. Although we are no longer racially segregated, there is still an underlying difference between blacks and whites.

When my father shared his dream with the world to try to cleanse the world, and shape it to be a pure, equal, and fair place. He did it for the future black race, you, myself, and our future children. He did it because he saw that even after the Emancipation Proclamation was declared, there was still little to no change in American society. Even though my father died, he gave everything up for his family, his race, and his color. He was willing to die to prove that the world needed change.

We, as civil rights activists, should be more like my father. We need to do everything we can to change the world. If one man can change the world for the better, then why can we, as a people, not? Is it because we are black? Well, let me tell you, my dear brothers and sisters, as the good book says, we are all God’s children. Through his eyes, we are all equal. This should not change because of the color of our skin. I believe that, as blacks, if we stand tall, if we fight back in a manner in which the whites can see eye-to-eye, I believe that we can change the world and make it a better place. For me, for you, for our children, and for generations to come; pure from racism, forever!

Bibliography

1. American Battlefield Trust. (2018). 10 Facts: The Emancipation Proclamation. [online] Available at: https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/10-facts-emancipation-proclamation [Accessed 28 Aug. 2019].
2. Biography.com Editors (2014). Martin Luther King Jr. Biography. [online] Biography. Available at: https://www.biography.com/people/martin-luther-king-jr-9365086 [Accessed 28 Aug. 2019].
3. Gokadze, I. (2013). YouTube. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vDWWy4CMh [Accessed 28 Aug. 2019].
4. History.com Editors (2009). Martin Luther King, Jr. [online] HISTORY. Available at: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/martin-luther-king-jr [Accessed 28 Aug. 2019].
5. PublishersWeekly.com. (n.d.). Nonfiction Book Review: GROWING UP KING: An Intimate Memoir by Ralph Wiley, Author, Dexter Scott King, Author with Ralph Wiley. Warner $24.95 (320p) ISBN 978-0-446-52942-6. [online] Available at: https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-446-52942-6 [Accessed 28 Aug. 2019].
6. The Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute. (1961). King, Dexter Scott. [online] Available at: https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/king-dexter-scott [Accessed 28 Aug. 2019].
7. Whitaker, M. (2017). Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” Speech: Full Text. [online] AOL.com. Available at: https://www.aol.com/article/news/2017/01/16/dr-martin-luther-kings-i-have-a-dream-speech-full-text/21655947/ [Accessed 28 Aug. 2019].
8. White, D. (n.d.). Martin Luther King’s Most Famous Speech. [online] Socialstudiesforkids.com. Available at: http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/mlkihaveadreamspeech.htm [Accessed 28 Aug. 2019].

1. Physical activity is important to me because…

Physical activity is important to me because it is extremely enjoyable and benefits my health and well-being. It is also a way to keep fit. In addition, physical activity or exercise can improve your health and reduce the risk of developing several diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease as well as improve mental health. Many physical sports are team sports and it is important to be able to build on your collaboration skills, and communication skills and learn to play as a community of friends. Or what I like to call ‘the three C’s – collaboration, communication, and community’. These skills are an essential part of life and very important to have as it helps with the longevity of your entire future life.

2. Which fitness test did you perform better in?

I personally performed better in the Cooper’s fitness test as I had more endurance running and I was able to achieve a much further distance as I nearly ran 2.5 kilometers whereas in the swim test, I only swam a mere 300m.

3. How do your fitness test results reflect on your chosen sports for 2020?

This year, my two chosen sports are soccer and basketball. In both these sports, you need to run around a lot which reflects my results in Cooper’s test. In both these sports, players dribble and shoot the ball. But basketball players dribble with their hands, while soccer players dribble with their feet it is required to be able to run up and down a field/court. You also need to know how to manoeuvre around people which adds to my agility. Furthermore, you are required to have the right amount of energy so you can last a while playing the courts/field. Basketball and soccer are also land sports, unlike water polo where you are in a pool. These are the main factors that contribute to my doing better in the Cooper test as opposed to the swim test.

4. How do you hope to improve your participation in physical activity this year

I hope to improve my physical activity this year by ensuring that I can perform better results in the swim test and hopefully double my results in the Coopers test. I can achieve this by commencing swimming either inside or outside of school. This will improve my endurance in the pool, and I will be able to swim better and for a longer distance. The same applies to Cooper’s test, if I had more endurance, I could run faster and further which would result in achieving a better outcome. I have also recently joined the school gym which I attend twice a week to build muscle strength and agility this includes weight training as well as endurance training.

Report:

Throughout life, we are influenced and taught by many people and this can have an effect on the way we approach life on a day-to-day basis.

My parents had an important influence on the kind of person I am today. Respect, moral values, and good manners are just some of the principles they have implanted in me as I continue to grow. However, I still have a long way to go if I want to be as wise as my mother and as determined as my father.

My dad passed away only two years ago and he was a great man and the best dad of all. Even though my dad was strict and overprotective he was also lots of fun and loving. He taught me how to be honest, and responsible, and most importantly his number one rule is to be respectful to others and hardworking. People are surprised to find how determined and resilient I am. My dad spent quality time with us as a family and he proved to me that working hard always resulted in playing harder and paid off. He made sure to enjoy every gathering and family time that we had together whether it was kayaking, fishing, bike riding, working out at the gym or just shooting some hoops at the local basketball courts.

Determination was one of my dad’s best qualities and this is what has been instilled in me especially when it comes to sport. He used to say to me all the time, “Don’t be the average, no matter how long it takes, get it done and do it well, get to where you want to be and always aim for the stars, jab, jab, jab right hook” which is interpreted as give people something three times (usually advice) then ask for one in return.

My mum has always been a woman of patience and has taken on so much since the passing of my dad. Can you imagine what it is like to run a business with over 25 staff, two companies as well and caring for my brother and me as well as running a household all on her own? I truly admire her for her, determination and tenacity. She always said to me, “don’t overthink things, just get on with it and never give up, as long as you know within yourself that you’ve applied your best then there will be no regret”. I’m very grateful for my mum. This is the kind of approach I apply to everything I do whether it be sports or academics.

Playing sports has many positive benefits on life especially on your health, fitness, and well-being. Activities such as the sports I’ve been involved in basketball, soccer, cycling, and swimming have built and influenced me into being the person I am today. Development from sport goes beyond just learning new physical skills and techniques. It teaches you how to be competitive and have ambition which I believe is very important nowadays for when the time comes to enter the workforce, This is something that I admired my dad for as he had the same vision. Sport helps you to develop ways to cope with the highs and lows of life. I personally feel that sport has definitely built on my collaboration with others, perseverance, and resilience, as well as developing important social skills, and communication and has also built the foundations of the community I have been raised to know and love and that is my family, friends and school mentors and coaches. These qualities influence me to be the proud person I am and continue to be.

Life has taught me that without the right influences of my parents, family, friends, and the school community, I do not know where I would be today.

Introduction

I was fascinated by the busy world of flying from the moment I stepped foot in an airport. The smooth orchestration behind each flight, the varied fabric of passengers, and the symphony of takeoffs and landings all captured my attention. The job of a flight attendant jumped out as being very fascinating in this dynamic world. It’s a position that embodies the art of providing outstanding customer service, grace under pressure, and an adventurous spirit. I have a strong desire to improve other people’s travel experiences, which is why I want to work as a flight attendant. 

I am intrigued to the job’s distinctive combination of duties, which range from guaranteeing passenger safety to offering consolation and attention while traveling. This line of work offers more than just a career; it’s a doorway to a world of experiences, a forum for interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds, and a chance to make lifelong memories for travelers all over the world.

Personal Attraction to the Profession

My initial attraction to becoming a flight attendant was sparked by an innate curiosity about the world beyond my hometown. As a child, I would often gaze at airplanes crossing the sky, dreaming about the destinations they were heading to and the stories of those aboard. This curiosity transformed into a concrete aspiration during my first flight. The flight attendants, with their poise and professionalism, seemed like ambassadors of the sky, guiding us through the clouds. Their ability to manage diverse tasks with a smile, from ensuring safety to comforting nervous passengers, made a lasting impression.

A particular moment that solidified my interest was witnessing a flight attendant expertly handle a medical emergency mid-flight. Their quick response and calm demeanor not only resolved the situation but also maintained a sense of calm among the passengers. This incident highlighted the impactful role of flight attendants and fueled my aspiration to be part of this admirable profession, combining service with the thrill of travel.

Understanding the Role and Responsibilities

A wide range of abilities and duties are needed for the varied and complex job of a flight attendant. Their main duty is to guarantee the safety of the passengers, which involves enforcing safety protocols, keeping an eye on cabin conditions, and handling emergency situations. Flight attendants are prepared to tackle unforeseen circumstances with composure and effectiveness through their training in crisis management, emergency evacuation, and first aid. 

In addition to being safe, they are essential for improving passenger comfort. This part of the work entails everything from meeting and greeting travelers to assisting with luggage, serving meals, and attending to specific requirements. In order to effectively deal with passengers from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, flight attendants must possess strong communication and customer service abilities. They must possess empathy, flexibility, and the ability to quickly solve issues. It is essential to have the capacity to remain composed under duress and keep a cheerful attitude throughout lengthy and occasionally difficult trips. 

Being the airline’s public face, flight attendants’ behavior has a big impact on passengers’ entire travel experiences. They are invaluable in the airline sector because of their dedication to the safety and well-being of passengers.

The Allure of Travel and Cultural Exchange

My passion for travel and experiencing diverse cultures is at the heart of my aspiration to become a flight attendant. The opportunity to traverse the globe, visit new places, and immerse myself in different cultures is incredibly appealing. Each destination offers a unique learning experience, from understanding local customs and traditions to sampling regional cuisines. As a flight attendant, I would have the privilege of not only exploring these destinations but also meeting people from all walks of life. This profession provides a rare platform for cultural exchange, allowing for the sharing of stories, ideas, and experiences with passengers and colleagues from around the world. 

The prospect of being a part of this global tapestry is thrilling. It’s about more than just seeing new places; it’s about connecting with humanity on a broader scale. Every journey promises new insights, friendships, and perspectives, contributing to personal growth and a deeper appreciation of the world’s diversity. The flight attendant’s role as a global ambassador is not just a career; it’s a gateway to a life enriched by the wonders of the world and the tapestry of its people.

Customer Service and Interpersonal Skills

The core of a flight attendant’s job is providing exceptional customer service, since each encounter has the potential to affect a passenger’s experience. Being the first point of contact, flight attendants have a responsibility to treat every passenger with respect and comfort, which requires patience, empathy, and awareness. These abilities have been refined by my work in customer service positions, where I’ve learned the value of attentive listening, clear communication, and customized solutions to meet the needs of each individual. I now know how to work with a variety of personalities, efficiently handle problems, and foster great relationships even in trying circumstances.

My ability to maintain my composure and personability under pressure has been really helpful. This skill set is essential in the dynamic world of aviation, where flight attendants must quickly adjust to a variety of situations, from handling passenger inquiries to resolving conflicts. These encounters have reinforced my conviction that providing outstanding customer service and possessing great interpersonal skills go beyond simply carrying out tasks to establish a caring and trustworthy environment—a crucial aspect in the cramped confines of an airline.

Challenges and Personal Growth

The role of a flight attendant, while rewarding, comes with its set of challenges, including irregular hours, long flights, and demanding work conditions. These challenges are opportunities for personal growth and resilience building. Adjusting to different time zones and maintaining high energy levels during long flights tests one’s physical and mental stamina. Dealing with difficult passengers or emergencies requires quick thinking and a calm demeanor. These situations, though tough, foster adaptability, problem-solving skills, and emotional intelligence. Embracing these challenges enhances my capability to handle stress and unpredictability, skills that are invaluable in any professional setting. The resilience and flexibility gained through overcoming these hurdles prepare me not just for a career in aviation but for life’s unpredictable journey.

Career Aspirations and Goals

My long-term career goals in the aviation industry extend beyond the role of a flight attendant. I aspire to progress within the field, potentially exploring training and managerial positions within airline operations. This ambition is fueled by a desire to not only excel in providing exceptional passenger experiences but also to contribute to the broader aspects of aviation safety and service quality. I am particularly interested in the training and development of new flight attendants, sharing knowledge and experiences to enhance the overall quality of onboard service. Additionally, I aim to be an advocate for flight attendant welfare, contributing to initiatives that improve working conditions and job satisfaction. My ultimate goal is to combine my passion for aviation with a commitment to excellence and innovation, making a lasting impact on the industry and inspiring others in their aviation careers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my passion for the flight attendant role is deeply rooted in a love for travel, a commitment to exceptional customer service, and an eagerness to engage in diverse cultural experiences. The unique blend of responsibilities that come with this role aligns perfectly with my personal strengths and professional aspirations. My journey towards becoming a flight attendant is driven by a desire to create memorable and comfortable experiences for passengers, ensuring their safety and satisfaction.

As I pursue this career, I am committed to continuous learning and personal growth, embracing the challenges and opportunities that come with this dynamic profession.

The word identity, according to the Oxford Dictionary, simply refers to “the fact of being who or what a person or thing is”. But what is concealed behind this definition, what is the underlying meaning of one’s identity? Throughout the year psychologists have extensively researched the roles human beings look to define themselves as. From psychology, we understand the complexity of our brains with the ability to distinguish events, cultures, relationships, memories, and many more tasks, developing the personal traits that identify individuals. In a world full of 7.53 billion people, human beings undergo biological and environmental influences that distinctly set every apart from one another. To me, one’s identity is comprised of many biopsychosocial characteristics that uniquely define each individual, allowing the identification of oneself in the world we live in.

I possess a distinctive identity defined by biological factors such as my family, psychological factors like my beliefs, and social factors such as the community I grew up in. As I entered High School, I desired to fit in with the collective whole, but I soon realized that a lack of my own identity promoted uncertainty and negligence of the unique person I am, ultimately coming to acceptance of my identity. Part of my identity is shaped by the environment I grew up in. Unlike many D’Evelyn students, I live up the winding roads and in the mountains. Living far away from the city has formed an adventurous, yet serene side to my personality. My home has provided me with life outside sports, relationships, and academics, where I can embrace the fresh air and cold snow. In addition to the home I grew up in, my twin brother has significantly influenced who I am. Currently, my twin brother and I attend different High Schools, which notably affects my family dynamic. The separation from my twin has fostered a sense of the value of the love and shared time I have with others in my identity. Although there are other factors such as my relationships and daily activities that have shaped who I am today, I believe that my own emotions and thoughts have primarily impacted my identity. Specifically, I believe that I am a hardworking, honest person capable of reaching my dream job of being a nurse, and therefore as a person, I am prompted to pursue opportunities, such as volunteering in a hospital, that are influential in helping me as a person. A multifold of factors, influenced by the world I live in, the people I surround myself with, and the beliefs I hold, significantly shape my own identity.

Although my identity is influenced by outside factors, it distinguishes who I am as a person and therefore I believe I only have the final determination of my identity. In my life, I am able to control my wants and needs by making choices and deciding my purpose in the world. My parents, teachers, and friends could potentially affect how I define myself, but ultimately it is my decision on how I define myself. Through processes like “trial-and-error”, and “all or nothing”, I am able to identify myself with activities, relationships, and beliefs that intrinsically inspire positivity and happiness.

Foreword

An old story written by Wayne Cordeiro in his book, “Doing Church As A Team” tells of a rabbi living in a Russian city a century ago. Disappointed by his lack of direction and life purpose, he wandered in the chilly evening. With his hands thrust deep in his pockets, he aimlessly walked through the empty streets, questioning his faith in God, the Scriptures, and his calling to ministry. The only thing colder than the Russian winter air was the chill within his soul. He felt so enshrouded by his own despair that he mistakenly wandered into a Russian military compound off-limits to civilians.

The bark of a Russian soldier shattered the silence of the evening chill. “Who are you? And what are you doing here?”

“Excuse me?” replied the rabbi.

“I said, ‘Who are you and what are you doing here?’ ”

After a brief moment, the rabbi, in a gracious tone so as not to provoke the soldier, said, “How much do you get paid every day?”

“What does that have to do with you?” the soldier retorted.

With the delight of someone making a new discovery, the rabbi said, “I will pay you the equal sum if you will ask me those same two questions every day: ‘Who are you?’ and ‘What are you doing here?’ ”

Let me be that Russian soldier for you as you read the next couple of pages. I will ask you those same two questions:

Who are you? What are you doing here?

These are two of the most important life questions that Chinonye Agu tries to answer in this book.

At some point in His earthly ministry and relationship with His disciples, Jesus asked them, ‘Who do men say that I am?’ When Peter, out of the entire lot said to Him, ‘Thou art the son of God, Jesus knew that only God could have inspired and revealed such an accurate description and definition of Him to Peter.

No one could have given that accurate description and definition of Him without having had a revelational encounter with God.

The same applies to you.

No man can properly and accurately define you except it is revealed to them who you are. Flesh and blood cannot discern you or understand your person, describe your calling, or grasp your assignment. Only God and whomever He reveals it to, can. Flesh and blood can only judge after the flesh. And those people who have a conviction of your identity would always stick by you and accept you, and declare, like Peter, ‘to whom shall we go? Only you …’

Friend, everything about life becomes easy and interesting when you understand this. You won’t struggle to run after or please anyone. Those that are significant and that matter to your destiny will locate you and will remain. Others may leave but these ones will keep saying ‘to whom shall we go?’ Stop running after people, or looking for validation from those who do not qualify to give it. Stop wondering why some don’t understand you or your calling. If flesh and blood could not do it for Jesus, flesh and blood will not do it for you.

But you see, it all starts from truly knowing who you really are. Identity theft is a big problem in society today. Many people have lost a great deal because they are victims of identity theft, and this has caused them significant financial and emotional losses. It’s even a bigger problem when we are dealing with spiritual identity theft.

Jesus said in John 10:10 that Satan’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. One of the things Satan wants to steal is our identity in Christ. And you know, just as Chinonye has explained in this book, your identity is your crown. Many people are at a point in their lives where they are so confused and hopeless because the enemy has robbed them of their identity and has given them a dummy. He has convinced them to buy his lie that they are not accepted by God. That their conversion was a joke. If you are one of such people, I am glad to tell you that there is hope for you.

Remember, the enemy went after Jesus’ identity. Matt 3:16-4:7. Jesus had just heard his Father say, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Now, we hear Satan saying to Jesus, “IF you are the Son of God”. Satan was tempting Jesus to doubt his identity. He wanted to get Jesus to do certain things to confirm his identity, but Jesus didn’t fall for it. So, you see, if he went after Jesus’ identity, he will come after yours as well.

Some have a confused sense of identity. This is the same thing that is called an “identity crisis”, which is one of the most important conflicts people face in development. People who have this crisis tend to feel out of place in the world and don’t pursue a sense of true identity. They are convinced that they are insignificant and unimportant. They believe they don’t fit in anywhere and don’t have a sense of belonging. And then they become depressed and suicidal. They convince themselves that there’s nothing to live for. They are weighed down with stress and anxiety. Because of this, they render themselves defective and useless. Since they can’t figure out who they are and where they belong, they decide there’s no point in their existence because no one cares, not even God. Therefore, it’s time to make their exit. Have you seen or read how suicide cases have skyrocketed globally in recent years?

Some of us have a warped sense of identity. Perhaps we heard growing up how we were no good or would never amount to anything and that became our identity. Perhaps we were teased in school and we became identified by whatever we were called. We become adults but those abusive voices haven’t left. We become Christians yet we still struggle with those nagging, negative chants. We still identify ourselves as unloved losers; a waste of space. Because of this negative grooming, we come to identify ourselves by our character flaws; our issues, and our sins. And we behave according to what we’re convinced of. Norman Vincent Peale wrote, ‘You are not what you think you are, but what you think, you are.’ If I believe I am a loser then I will live accordingly. It doesn’t matter what the truth is, it matters what I think the truth is. It doesn’t matter what is real, it only matters what I think is real. It doesn’t matter what my true identity is, it only matters what my perceived identity is.

How can I discover who I really am and solve my identity crisis?

We need to ask ourselves: who are we allowing to be the authoritative voice in our lives? Satan’s (who only lies to us)? Other people (who could be confused or ignorant of the truth or just plain messed up themselves)? Or God’s (who is the truth)? We are so held back when we have an identity crisis. But we need to believe in God. We need to line up our thinking with God’s truth and what He has said about us. When we feel like a failure, a loser, a nobody, we need to remember the reality of Psalm 139:14 where God tells us we are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made. When we feel unloved, we need to believe God’s truth in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” If we believe God when he says that he loves us unconditionally, since Romans 8:39 says that nothing can separate us from his love, then we can gain a healthy self-image, realizing who we are and how special we are to God.

Did Jesus have an identity crisis? No, he wanted to make sure his disciples knew what his identity was. That’s important for us too. We can’t attack our own identity crisis if we haven’t answered the most important identity question-who is Jesus? If we can’t answer the way Peter did, then we will never resolve our own identity crisis.

Until we believe the 7 ‘I am statements of Jesus: 1. I am the way. 2. I am the light. 3. I am the Bread. 4. I am the Good shepherd. 5. I am the vine. 6. I am the gate 7. I am the resurrection and the life; we will be confused about his identity and therefore, confused about our own. When we discover who Jesus is, then we are beginning to discover who we are.

Chinonye in this book freely shares with the reader her personal challenges, struggles, and experiences to drive home the reality and hopelessness that is engendered by the identity crisis, and the blessedness of its discovery as the real deal for anyone who wants to amount to anything significant in life. She makes bold to say through this book that your purpose, destiny, success, and essence are all wrapped up in who you are, as defined by God, and discovered by you. And that through the power, the promises, and the victory we have in Jesus, we have identity security and we have overcome our identity crisis. Anything short of this makes life a waste for any individual.

I sincerely believe that as you read with an open mind, you will come to the conclusion at the end of this book, that God who has helped and is still helping Chinonye, is faithful, and will help you as well.

Earth sciences, in general, have always been compelling to me, but my particular interest in geology and physical geography has sparked as I have learned about geographic processes that have shaped the world around me. How our solar system formed, Earth’s structure, tectonic processes, and their hazards especially fascinate me. These are the courses I want to study, because they will give me an even wider knowledge of topics I love, and will help me in the future.

My curiosity ranged from seeing huge, significant geological features in documentaries to seeing small-scale landforms in real life. Since learning the fundamentals of geology, everywhere I go I find myself looking for geological features. My interest in hiking has confirmed my interest in the subject. During a recent trip to the Lake District, I was captivated by all the different formations and compositions, which I further researched. It intrigued me to find that Scafell was formed by volcanic eruptions, whereas Windermere was formed by deposited marine sediments, even though they’re close in proximity.

Outside of the classroom, completing Future Learn courses has furthered my curiosity for these areas, particularly ‘Extreme Geological Events’.

Completing the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award and partially completing the Silver Award, improved some transferable skills, such as resilience, teamwork, leadership, and communication. The expedition I did allowed me to learn basic map reading skills and compass skills to find our way, which will assist me when I have to complete fieldwork in the future. In particular, the volunteering section I completed at a local library improved my confidence massively, as I had to communicate with a range of visitors and staff and I had to do different tasks independently. Along with the volunteering, I completed a physical section, where I learned a completely new type of dance with a completely different age range than I’m used to, which also boosted my confidence. In addition, work experience at a local primary school helped me to become familiar with and adapt to a professional working environment.

I am confident that the three subjects I took at A Level will be beneficial and will contribute to the degree I want to do. They are going to provide me with a strong foundation of fieldwork and research skills, which are key abilities for this particular degree. Several topics in my A-level courses are also part of some geology geography degrees content, a few examples including biogeochemical cycles, hydrology, natural hazards, and processes on Earth’s surface. In addition, as my subjects are the three Earth sciences, multiple subjects overlap topics, which has allowed me to have a further in-depth understanding of these particular subjects.

In the future, I hope to progress even further into geography and geology. Volcanology in particular is something that I’m looking into, as I saw a lecture that inspired me further to look into it as a career path.

As kids, everyone dreams of the unthinkable; we dream that we will be the next big thing in Hollywood making something big out of ourselves. I have yet to meet one person who does not wish that their dreams will come true. As we all start to grow up our dreams start to become smaller, and smaller until they are in the back of our minds most probably forgotten because we began to tell ourselves that they are just dreams we most likely never be able to achieve in our lifetime. In my opinion, it is always good to dream big, but it is preferable to dream realistically only because I believe that people who set reasonable goals are more capable of accomplishing their goals.

Setting realistic goals for yourself can help you advance in life because there is a better chance of you succeeding in whatever you put your mind to. Being more practical and realistic is a great thing when it comes to overcoming very large obstacles. For example, Hurricane Katrina completely destroyed New Orleans leaving the public loss of words. Instead of people waiting around for some big grand plan to save the people in New Orleans, people from all over decided to go out and help them. People set realistic goals to help the people in New Orleans, as well as help, rebuild the home for those poor people who lost everything.

Setting a realistic goal provides everyone with an accurate point of view on how life is. When you first accomplish a goal you set out to achieve then you want to take it a step further by setting another small realistic goal and begin to do all that you can to reach that goal. This is a great way to make sure you are doing all you can to achieve your goals the right way, and to make sure you are not overworking yourself or your body. Being realistic, setting your smaller goals, and achieving them is always a guarantee to help you reach your bigger goal slowly and successfully.

To conclude my essay I would just like to say that this is why I strongly believe that being realistic with your dreams and goals is better. I feel that you will most likely achieve a lot more in life than you might have imagined you could even. With that being said I do believe that there is no shame in dreaming realistically or dreaming big you do what is best for you, but let me ask you this is dreaming why are you so eager to set a goal bigger than you can handle? In my eyes that is setting you up for failure each time. Start with a realistic goal, and work your way up to become successful.

Everyone needs to be inspired, and inspiring others can only have positive effects. They can be the people that surround us in an everyday life. My inspiration consists of my parents, Oralia Reyes and Pedro Reyes. They are two full-blooded Mexican immigrants with remarkable stories of hard work, sacrifice, and resilience in a hostile society who left their country for a better life. Not only did they leave to have a better life themselves, but for me and my brothers as well. Growing up in a family with immigrant parents has profoundly influenced my hopes and aspirations of one day going to dentistry school to become a dental hygienist. As a daughter who has to experience hopeless hardships, I try hard to achieve all of my goals. When I think of the word immigrant, I always think full of hope, liberty, and opportunity. Others, on the contrary, think immigrants are illegal, poor, and uneducated and bring violence to the country. Each of my parents has a different backup story, but the same destination which each has made me influence myself in pushing harder each day on all they had to get through.

My dad was only sixteen years old when he decided to cross the Mexican border. My father came from a big family having a total of eleven siblings, him being the second oldest of them all. As he grew up, he didn’t have it easy. He had first started going to school to eventually be a neurologist, a doctor who treats disorders that affect the brain. In order to attend school he had to walk about four miles to attend school every day. My father was a good and intelligent student he had high grades and actually loved to learn new things. Quite after some time, he had to drop out of school. He started working at age twelve where he would keep an eye on the cows, feed and even milk them. He had the responsibility to get his family through because his dad was a lazy person. His dad would just work for himself and bring no money to the house. Due to the problem he encountered at home, he wanted to help, so he crossed over to the U.S. He came into the country with almost nothing, yet did not know any English. While he was here, he juggled multiple jobs by being a cook, working in construction, and even being in a band. A few years later, he decides to go get more education to get a better chance at better jobs. He earns his GED and learns to speak, read, and write in English. He has been working with a company ever since and has been doing way better.

On the other hand, my mother was nineteen when she came to the USA. She crossed six years later after my father. She also came from a big family of nine siblings her being the second youngest. She had a passion for school but eventually, couldn’t afford to pay the rest and finished tenth grade. She decided to come along due to money needs because her father was diagnosed with diabetes. The money she was earning while in Mexico wasn’t enough, so she came here searching for a better job with better pay to send to her parents. Looking for a job wasn’t an easy task for her by submitting many applications she would not get feedback, because she didn’t know English but she was a fast learner. Not too much after, she also decided to learn English and get her GED. As determined as she was she attended her courses and studied till she finally got her GED. Now she has better pay and a better job.

It’s amazing how two Spanish-speaking parents with only a couple of years of education and from Rancho have been raising three children so far including myself. Along the way, their experiences provide me with many valuable influences. They have motivated me to pursue higher education, and show respect, language, patience, determination, and work. Throughout their lives, my parents demonstrated a solid respect for all individuals regardless of their background. Language, both of my parents struggled to learn English. From a young age, my parents helped me realize that the power of words and language cannot be underestimated for one to be a fully engaged citizen. Their struggles were my motivation to learn as much as possible at all times. The challenges they face showed me patience, both of my parents are appreciated that sometimes, some things just take a while. Born and raised in an agrarian society, they remind me frequently that nature has its own timetable and cannot and should not be rushed. They left their place of birth for an unknown country with little information about what to expect. Each for their own reason was determined to make things work despite challenges and roadblocks. They simply kept pushing through not giving up in the face of adversity. This influence is perhaps the most relevant and ties all tho and ties all influences. My parents showed me what a strong worth ethic meant. When they work they work very hard. Now that they gave me the opportunity to be born here, I have the advantage to finish school to actually be someone in life. They have encouraged me in keeping high grades, staying focused on my studies, and supported me in all I do. They always tell me I can do anything I put my mind to. If they did it so can I.

Because they didn’t finish their education, they have influenced me in finishing mine while I have this opportunity. Both of my parents went to school. As much as they adore me, I love them the same way back. They are no harmful people they only came searching for a better life for themselves and for me. All I see in them is a golden heart full of kindness, respect, and caring. As each day goes by they make a big part in my life if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be here.