Category: About Myself

The ticket was clutched tightly in my hand, a small slip of paper that held the promise of adventure and escape. I stared at it, my mind swirling with possibilities. Where would I go? What new experiences awaited me? The world was open to me, and all I had to do was choose.

As I pondered my options, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement and anticipation. This ticket was more than just a piece of paper; it was a ticket to freedom, to exploration, and to self-discovery. It represented a break from the monotony of everyday life and the opportunity to immerse myself in new cultures, landscapes, and people. The possibilities were endless, and the decision was mine alone to make.

I considered the idea of jetting off to a far-flung tropical paradise, with pristine white beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters. The thought of basking in the warm sun, feeling the soft sand between my toes, and swimming in the vibrant coral reefs filled me with a sense of tranquility and bliss. It would be a chance to unwind, recharge, and escape the pressures of the world for a while.

But then my thoughts shifted to the bustling streets of a vibrant city, alive with energy and excitement. The allure of exploring the labyrinthine alleys, tasting exotic cuisines, and immersing myself in the rich history and culture of a metropolis was undeniable. The thought of wandering through museums, visiting iconic landmarks, and getting lost in the vibrant nightlife filled me with a sense of adventure and curiosity.

On the other hand, the call of nature was strong. The idea of embarking on an epic outdoor adventure, surrounded by towering mountains, dense forests, and roaring rivers, stirred something deep within me. I imagined hiking through breathtaking landscapes, camping under a star-filled sky, and pushing myself to new physical limits. It would be an opportunity to reconnect with the natural world and find solace in its beauty and serenity.

As I weighed my options, I realized that it wasn’t just about the destination; it was about the journey itself. It was about the people I would meet along the way, the stories I would hear, and the lessons I would learn. It was about pushing myself out of my comfort zone, embracing new challenges, and discovering a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me.

In the end, I made my decision. I chose to embark on a journey that would take me to multiple destinations, allowing me to experience the best of both worlds. I would start by exploring the vibrant streets of a cosmopolitan city, immersing myself in its culture and soaking up its energy. From there, I would venture into the tranquil embrace of nature, hiking through breathtaking landscapes and embracing the serenity of the great outdoors.

With my decision made, I felt a sense of exhilaration and purpose. I knew that this journey would not only be an escape from my everyday life but also a transformative experience that would shape me in profound ways. It would challenge me, inspire me, and broaden my horizons. I was ready to embrace the unknown, to step outside of my comfort zone, and to let the world unfold before me.

As I walked towards the departure gate, the ticket still clutched in my hand, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude. I was grateful for the opportunity to explore, to learn, and to grow. I was grateful for the freedom to choose my own path and to create my own story. And most of all, I was grateful for the journey that lay ahead, filled with endless possibilities and the promise of unforgettable experiences.

So, where will you go with your ticket in hand? The choice is yours to make. Embrace the adventure, follow your heart, and let the world be your guide.

The Castle Mountain

“Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.” Japanese Proverb.

After three days, I’m moving to a new city. I have been living in my hometown for eighteen years and now I must go off to college. The only thing left to do on my bucket list is to climb the mountain of the height in my town. I have always been afraid of heights, I wanted to overcome this fear. So, I chose Castle Mountain. Its summit is approximately 850 meters above sea level. Most days the place would be crowded with people of all ages. It is a common place to visit even for tourists.

I went there at noon. It was a beautiful sunny day. As I anticipated it was full of people. I realized that I can not do it with all these people watching. What if I failed again? so I got cold feet and decided to postpone it to another day.

On my way home I came across my friend Jamal. I stopped to say goodbye since it could be the last time that I see him. And for a moment, I was looking at him and thinking about how older we get. I know him since we were ten. We share lots of history together.

“Do you have plans for tomorrow?” I asked on impulse.

To which he replied: “no, I don’t think so.”

“Would you go with me hiking in the mountains?”

“Finally, you have decided to do it,” he said.

“It is the last thing on my bucket list that I want to do before leaving,” I said.

“Ok, what time?” he asked.

The way he immediately accepted the plan made me get so excited “Midnight” I answered.

Even though I was worried and terrified I decided that nothing is going to stop me from completing this list. I met my friend the following day and we immediately headed to the mountains area in the town. We got there with all the equipment we need.

I looked at the tall mountain and said: “it’s not going to be easy isn’t it?”

I felt so small looking up at the giant mountain. It is obvious that the mountain got its name because it resembles a turreted castle. The scene was so frightening. It was a dark calm cloudless night with a full moon.

I was trying to never think of the whole distance to the top, just one step at a time until they would all be done.

He went first and as I was watching his steps,

I thought that my fear faded away.

But when we reached the middle, I felt that I might get a panic attack, my heartbeat was increasing, my stomach was churning, my hands were shaking, and I felt dizzy.

My friend caught a glimpse past me and shouted: “a snake” and then he started running and I followed him without thinking.

We did not stop until we reached the peak. We were out of breath. It took me a while to comprehend the idea and then I turned to my friend and we hugged.

The view was stunning, emotional, and breathtaking at the same time. It was the most beautiful and natural view I have ever seen., and the stars were shining brightly. I cannot find words to describe how I exactly felt. A tingling emotion ran through me. It was a great sense of pride and accomplishment. I was extremely happy. I forgot all the inconvenient feelings that encountered me and finally experienced pushing through fears and challenges by reaching the top.

A smile came to my face as I took out my bucket list and cross the last thing with a red broad line.

Dreams are the fuel that drives individuals toward their desired goals and aspirations. They provide a sense of purpose and a vision for the future. However, dreams alone are not enough to guarantee success. It requires determination, motivation, perseverance, and learning from mistakes. This essay explores the essential factors for achieving dreams, including staying motivated, setting goals, rewarding oneself, taking breaks, surrounding oneself with positive influences, and embracing mistakes as opportunities for growth.

Determination

Determination is the unwavering resolve and persistence to pursue one’s dreams, even in the face of challenges and obstacles. It is the driving force that propels individuals forward and helps them overcome adversity. Without determination, dreams remain distant and unattainable fantasies.

To cultivate determination, individuals must first set clear goals. By defining their dreams and breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps, they create a roadmap for success. This clarity provides a sense of direction and purpose, enabling individuals to stay focused and motivated.

In addition to setting goals, creating a plan of action is crucial. A well-thought-out strategy allows individuals to identify the necessary steps and resources required to achieve their dreams. It helps them anticipate obstacles and develop contingency plans, enhancing their ability to overcome challenges along the way.

However, determination goes beyond setting goals and making plans. It requires a deep-seated commitment to the journey, regardless of the difficulties encountered. It means being willing to put in the necessary time, effort, and sacrifices to turn dreams into reality. Determined individuals understand that setbacks are not roadblocks but rather opportunities for growth and learning. They view challenges as stepping stones toward success and use them as motivation to keep pushing forward.

Furthermore, surrounding oneself with a support system of like-minded individuals can significantly contribute to maintaining determination. By connecting with people who share similar aspirations and values, individuals can find encouragement, support, and inspiration. These positive influences provide a sense of camaraderie and accountability, reinforcing one’s determination and belief in their dreams.

Staying Motivated

Motivation is the driving force that keeps individuals focused, energized, and committed to their goals, even when faced with challenges or setbacks. To stay motivated, individuals must identify their personal sources of inspiration. This can vary from person to person, but common motivators include envisioning the desired outcome, reflecting on the positive impact that achieving the dream will have, and finding inspiration in the success stories of others who have accomplished similar goals. By regularly tapping into these sources of motivation, individuals can keep their passion alive and maintain a strong sense of purpose.

Setting milestones and tracking progress is another effective strategy for staying motivated. Breaking down the journey toward a dream into smaller, achievable goals allows individuals to celebrate incremental successes. These milestones provide a sense of accomplishment and reinforce the belief that progress is being made. Regularly reviewing and acknowledging progress helps to sustain motivation and builds momentum towards the ultimate goal.

Moreover, it is important to cultivate a positive mindset. Optimism and a belief in one’s abilities are powerful motivators. By focusing on the possibilities and potential for success, individuals can overcome self-doubt and stay motivated even in challenging times. Positive self-talk, visualization techniques, and surrounding oneself with uplifting affirmations or visual reminders can contribute to maintaining a positive mindset and unwavering motivation.

Additionally, seeking support from loved ones or joining communities of like-minded individuals can provide a strong support system and enhance motivation. Sharing aspirations, challenges, and successes with others who understand and empathize creates a sense of camaraderie. Their encouragement, advice, and accountability can help individuals stay motivated and navigate through obstacles.

Keep Remembering Goal

Keeping the end goal in mind is a powerful strategy for maintaining focus and motivation on the journey toward achieving a dream. By consistently reminding oneself of the ultimate objective, individuals can stay committed and driven, even when faced with distractions or obstacles.

One way to keep the goal at the forefront of one’s mind is through visualization. This involves mentally picturing the desired outcome and experiencing the emotions associated with achieving it. By vividly imagining the future reality, individuals create a strong connection to their dreams and reinforce their motivation to work toward them.

Another effective method is to create tangible reminders of the goal. This can include creating vision boards or displaying motivational quotes and images in prominent places. These visual cues are constant reminders of what individuals work towards and serve as a daily inspiration.

Regularly reflecting on the reasons why the dream is important is also essential. By understanding the goal’s underlying motivations and personal significance, individuals strengthen their emotional attachment to it. This emotional connection fuels their determination and helps them persevere during challenging times.

Additionally, documenting progress and milestones can help individuals keep the goal in focus. By keeping a journal or record of achievements, individuals can review their journey and see how far they have come. This reflection serves as a reminder of the progress made and reinforces the belief that the goal is within reach.

Lastly, it can be helpful to share the goal with trusted individuals. Individuals create a sense of accountability by confiding in supportive friends, family, or mentors. Sharing progress updates and discussing the dream with others keeps the goal alive in conversations and provides encouragement and support.

Reward Yourself

Rewarding oneself along the journey towards achieving a dream is an important practice that helps to maintain motivation and boost morale. Celebrating small victories and milestones provides a sense of accomplishment and reinforces the belief that progress is being made.

Rewards can take various forms and should be tailored to individual preferences. They can be as simple as taking a break and indulging in a favorite activity, treating oneself to a small luxury or experience, or engaging in self-care practices. The key is choosing meaningful and enjoyable rewards, providing a sense of satisfaction and rejuvenation.

Individuals create a positive feedback loop by incorporating rewards into the pursuit of a dream. Each accomplishment becomes an opportunity to celebrate and recharge, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation for the next milestone. This practice also helps to counterbalance the challenges and sacrifices that may be encountered along the way.

Moreover, rewards serve as tangible reminders of progress and success. They can visually represent the hard work and effort invested in pursuing the dream.

Take Some Breaks

While determination and hard work are important aspects of pursuing a dream, taking breaks and allowing oneself time to rest and rejuvenate is equally crucial. Taking breaks is essential for maintaining overall well-being and preventing burnout.

Engaging in activities unrelated to the pursuit of the dream provides a mental and emotional break from the challenges and pressures of the journey. It allows individuals to recharge their energy and regain focus.

Moreover, breaks foster creativity and fresh perspectives. Stepping away from the dream momentarily allows the mind to relax and wander. It creates space for new ideas and insights to emerge. Often, individuals return to their pursuits with a renewed sense of clarity and inspiration after taking a break.

Taking breaks also contributes to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Overworking and neglecting personal needs can lead to stress, exhaustion, and diminished motivation. By prioritizing self-care and relaxation, individuals ensure that they have the energy and enthusiasm necessary to sustain their efforts over the long term.

Stay Among Positive People

Surrounding oneself with positive and supportive individuals is crucial for staying motivated and maintaining a healthy mindset while pursuing a dream. The people we interact with can greatly influence our attitudes, beliefs, and overall outlook on life.

Positive people uplift and inspire us. Their optimism, encouragement, and belief in our abilities can help us overcome self-doubt and stay motivated during challenging times. They provide a support system that offers understanding, empathy, and valuable insights. Interacting with positive individuals creates an environment of growth where ideas are nurtured, and dreams are encouraged.

On the other hand, being around negative or unsupportive individuals can drain our energy and diminish our motivation. Negative influences can breed doubt, criticism, and pessimism, making staying focused and committed to our goals harder. It is important to be mindful of the people we spend time with and seek out those who uplift and inspire us.

Don’t Hesitate to Make Mistakes

Embracing mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning is a vital mindset to adopt when pursuing a dream. Mistakes are inevitable and should not be feared or avoided. Instead, they should be seen as valuable lessons contributing to personal development.

By acknowledging and learning from mistakes, individuals gain insights, refine their approach, and become more resilient. Embracing mistakes allows for discovering new paths, innovative solutions, and, ultimately, fulfilling dreams. Through trial and error, individuals can truly expand their capabilities and reach their full potential.

Conclusion

In conclusion, achieving dreams requires determination, staying motivated, remembering the goal, rewarding oneself, taking breaks, surrounding oneself with positive influences, and embracing mistakes. By incorporating these essential factors, individuals can navigate the path to success and turn their aspirations into tangible realities, living a fulfilling life with purpose.

Introduction

Social justice is a concept that has deeply resonated with me throughout my life. It encompasses the pursuit of equality, fairness, and the eradication of systemic injustices. In this narrative essay, I will explore the experiences and values that have ignited my passion for social justice and driven me to take action.

Growing up in a diverse community

I was fortunate to grow up in a culturally diverse community where I was exposed to people from various backgrounds and experiences. This exposure opened my eyes to the disparities and inequalities that exist within society. Witnessing the struggles faced by marginalized individuals and communities ignited a fire within me to fight for justice and equality.

Family values and discussions

In my family, discussions about social justice were common. My parents instilled in me a strong sense of empathy, compassion, and the importance of treating others with respect. We often engaged in conversations about current events, societal issues, and the impact of systemic injustices on marginalized communities. These discussions fostered my awareness of social inequities and the need for action.

Personal encounters with injustice

Throughout my life, I have had personal encounters with injustice that have further fueled my passion for social justice. I witnessed friends and family members facing discrimination based on their race, gender, or socioeconomic status. These experiences made me acutely aware of the deep-rooted biases and prejudices that permeate our society and the need for systemic change.

Education and awareness

As I pursued higher education, I had the opportunity to delve deeper into the study of social justice issues. I took courses that explored topics such as systemic racism, gender inequality, and poverty. These classes provided me with a broader understanding of the historical and structural factors that perpetuate injustice. They also equipped me with the tools to critically analyze societal systems and advocate for change.

Volunteer work and community involvement

I actively sought out volunteer opportunities and engaged in community initiatives that focused on social justice. I volunteered at local organizations that supported marginalized groups, participated in rallies and protests, and joined student organizations dedicated to advocating for equality. These experiences allowed me to witness the power of collective action and the impact it can have on effecting positive change.

The power of empathy and personal stories

One of the driving forces behind my passion for social justice is the recognition that behind every statistic and social issue, there are real people with unique stories and experiences. I believe in the power of empathy and storytelling as catalysts for change. By listening to and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, we can humanize the issues at hand and inspire empathy and understanding among others.

Commitment to lifelong learning and growth

My journey towards social justice is ongoing, and I recognize the need for continuous learning and growth. I am committed to educating myself about different social justice issues, engaging in self-reflection, and challenging my own biases and privileges. I believe that personal growth and self-awareness are essential in becoming an effective advocate for social change.

Conclusion

My passion for social justice is rooted in my upbringing, personal encounters with injustice, education, volunteer work, and a deep sense of empathy. I am driven by the belief that everyone deserves equal rights, opportunities, and dignity. I am committed to dedicating my time, skills, and energy to advocating for social justice, challenging systemic inequalities, and creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Being able to stand out among 21 diverse mademoiselles is the next big thing for the indwellers of the land known as Bulaklakan. Considered as the ‘Culture Capital’, the annual tournament of physique and cognition is held to celebrate the integral aesthetics of mademoiselles while being able to partake in the opportunity of honoring the arts, culture, and heritage of the said nation. During the month of September, aspiring mademoiselles who possess the winning touchstone for the yearly tournament are randomly drawn from the 21 respective localities found in Bulaklakan to undergo the nine stages of becoming the ‘fairest mademoiselle with a purpose’. Each of the 21 localities is necessitated to pick out the most eligible player who would best mirror its character and would dare to own the royal head gear of victory—the diadein. Throughout the tournament, watchmen serve as surveillances witnessing how the fairest mademoiselle will ace the extensive line of rivalry and climb its way up to deserve the royal head gear, which is to be vested by the Trategisma. Winning the tournament entails the testing of the different areas of power owned by each mademoiselle—within the nine stages, the 21 players will be given the chance to showcase what strengths they have got and how will these make them stand out among others throughout the duration of the battle. Beginning with the first stage called the Tionducpro Bernum, mademoiselles sway their bodies to the music of their personalities so as to build up a striking first impression to the Trategisma—for every move they portray, the challenge is to exhibit varying aspects of their character for only a limited period of time and action. Moving on with the second stage known as the Lenta Tionpor, three to five minutes will be provided for the players’ excellent showcase of the possessed strength that is most dominant in them which can be in the form of either emitting melodiously drawn tones through the hitting of musical notes, or accompanying rhythmic bodily movements with appropriate musical sounds of succession. After which, comes the third stage termed as the Ualcas Raew where guarantors determine a specific theme of a clothing ensemble and the 21 mademoiselles wearing it must come up with a one-of-a-kind projection, embodying their exceptional style among the several flavors put forward in the tournament. Subsequently, in the fourth stage named as the Strops Reaw, the players must be able to exhibit their aggressive visage as they move out from their conforming and prejudiced reputation of being modest and demure. In other words, this stage puts the players into a battle of fierceness. In contrast to the previous stage, the fifth stage entitled Malfor Reaw, mademoiselles are tasked to flaunt a semblance of splendor and elegance by making use of long flowing cuts of luxurious fabric sutured into a single garment. Succeeding the stage of elegance is the sixth stage identified as Bankasing Tireat where the 21 players highlight the promotion of their locality’s heritage in the form of embellished textiles created by enchanted sophies, purposely made to fit mademoiselles engaged in the tournament. The very purpose of these custom-made luxury pieces is to depict an inter-locality match among the players. Next of, is the most sensational stage recognized as the Tionques nad Werans, where watchmen eagerly scrutinize the performance of the 21 mademoiselles in exercising the power of reasoning and incisiveness in proving their awareness concerning the vivacious chronicle of Bulaklakan. In here, Trategismas assess how the 21 players epitomize the fusion of ancient principles and contemporary epoch in tourism-rooted avowals. Thereafter, comes the long-awaited part referred to as the Dingwara Nymorece—Trategismas determine the most prominent mademoiselles in the various areas of power being contended for and grants them with bands serving as emblems of an honorary. These bands designate respective players of the following entitlements: Snapshot Aesthetic, Jewel of the Watchmen, Mademoiselle of Amicability, and Finest Apparel Splendor. Most especially, it is in this part that watchmen are able to behold the bestowal of the diadein to the fairest mademoiselle by the chief of the Trategismas. Finally, the tournament culminates by the time the royal head gear of victory is worn by the fairest mademoiselle, who then walks eventually with pride; projecting a powerful character of brainpower, conviction, composure, charisma and meekness above all. In simpler terms, the victor of the tournament echoes the truest and richest heritage of the Bulaklakan as the ‘Culture Capital’.

The journey of owning the crown starts with a screening where one has to make sure that she meets the different requirements such as age, height, nationality, weight and many more. These requirements depend on the kind of pageant one is going to join; some categories include fashion show for teens, kids, women, and men. It is true that beauty pageants are battles of beauty and brains. In a general sense, it is already a given that people who enter pageants have the looks, projection, and the body. The challenge now for them is how would they be able to make use of their facial expressions to connect to the audience and have them understand what is being done on stage for every particular portion of the competition. And to add to that, a candidate must have an advocacy to pursue throughout her reign—aside from the competition of looks and intelligence, beauty pageants must also serve as manifestations of the contestants’ campaigns of giving back to the appropriate members of the society. In this sense, this particular advocacy will serve as an inspiration that one has to win the title, to keep going on and aiming high not only for herself but also for the whole community. In return of the community service, candidates are able to boost their confidence as they are able to establish friendships with the people they mingle with during the entire duration of the competition— though they started their pageant stories having their fears and self-doubt at its peak, they eventually learned how to explore and go beyond their comfort zones by engaging in different fashion shows. As the interviewee would put it, “You don’t have to be a 10/10 beauty queen to bring home the crown, enjoying the whole experience of making it till the end of the competition is already enough to call yourself a winner. So, keep your chin up despite all the challenges in life because we all have that invisible crown! You already have the beauty and brain, the most important thing then is to believe in Him that no matter what happens, He’ll be walking with you” (A. Gutierrez, personal communication, September 28, 2019).

Insights: What Did I Learn?

Pageants are well-known for imposing a stereotypical image of beauty among women. But by delving deeper into the relationship of women and beauty, through both etic and emic lenses, I have come to know that beauty pageants are more so dedicated to portray the idea of beauty beyond the physical attribute, that there is more for women to achieve rather than just being a pretty face. It is a women empowerment movement that reflects women being not only concerned with self-development but also has a heart for those in need—it shows that beauty surpasses the thought of just winning the crown by being recognized as a brave lady who is able to rise back from where she stumbles, at the same time being able to spring this powerful character to the people around her. Moreover, it is for the ladies to realize that they possess the same worth as other women, no matter how diverse their identities from one another may be, that there will always be a bad side which is inevitable but nevertheless, must not hinder their progress as a person of confidence. Every woman in the audience must also be able to gain the same realization about their selves. Simply put, pageants exist neither to objectify women nor set an insatiable standard of beauty, but rather just to convey how great any woman can be by looks and by her heart for others.

All over society, values, and ethics surround us and build on our way of living with one another. The three core values I believe play a very meaningful role in my life are family, respect, and long-lasting happiness. These three important values are the principles of a person’s standards of behavior to determine what actions are best to do or what way is best to live. What is Ethics? Ethics is simply the moral principle or values that deals with what is good and bad. (Norris, n.d.) states “Good morals lead to good laws” followed by the popular Golden rule “Treat others as you want to be treated”. Whereas bad morals would be considered as murder, stealing, committing crimes, and any intention of wrong activity.

Ethics and values, I use mostly based on my cultural background being Nepali is respect. Being a Hindu, most of our ethics, morals, and values come from the same position as everyone else’s. Grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, friends, and friends of the families. We Hindus mostly come from South Asian countries, where people with a strong heritage, cultures, and beliefs live. I was raised in a regular family and had major ups and downs in my adolescence which taught me a lot about my values and ethics. My parents, especially my grandparents who instructed Nepali history regularly taught me countless things about our religion, not only about our Gods but also about our values, standards, and family of origin. Similarly, my relatives, friends, and neighbors are also a source of high-principled value. I come from a middle-class family, who are drastically generous and religious. To practice my values every day, I read various religious books, Hindu holy books known as the ‘Vedas’ written in Sanskrit to guide myself and to protect the religious importance of my family and society. ‘The Vedas’ we believe in are meant to be received by people who are wise directly from God which is passed onto the next generations. My family values consist of actions and qualities such as happiness, family, and respect for others. Each of these values is equally important in my family’s life, which makes me the person I am today. Respect starts at an early age in my culture. The elders teach us the basics of what ‘respect’ means to us. We are taught to say “dhanyavad”, meaning “thank you”, “hoina dhanyavad” meaning “no, thank you” and “Namaskar” meaning “I salute god with you”. We greet our elders by saying “Namaskar” by holding our palms together as if we are praying, which is considered to be one of the most attractive and addictive Nepalese customs. Of course, some of these are common and normal first steps to respect someone and are considered to be well-mannered. However, in Nepalese culture, these are used to acknowledge someone’s presence by showing appreciation and conveying gratitude. Respect is the very aspect that keeps everything holding in my life and my family’s upbringing impacted my current value system by raising me as a respectful person. I am known to have good manners and know how to respect people, as well as myself. For instance, since a very young age, I have been taught to be respectful by taking off my shoes before entering the ‘mandir’, not taking pictures unless an individual has asked for permission, and leaving a few rupees in the donation box, which again is a sign of respect I hold with me till this day to show the appreciation and attentiveness I carry towards my Gods. The role my Nepalese culture has played in my developing my values is that in my culture we are brought up to respect our elders since they are seen as the wise ones.

My cultural background impacts me as a student at Bow Valley College by encouraging diversity in my school. My values, happiness, and family impact my time at college by receiving positive feedback and support from my family members. The first year is tough since everything is brand new to me but having support from my parents helped me into who I am today as a student here. My value of happiness being a student came from making new friends and getting to know everyone. Even now with the pandemic being a huge part of everyone’s daily life, I was able to adjust easily and get to know my peers via virtual classes. I know the classes are virtual, but even on my first day, I was nervous. Thoughts of wondering how others would view me, or how I would fit in constantly ran through my head. “What will others think of me?” “How will I make friends?” However, as days passed, I realized everyone was so respectful to me and it made me extremely happy getting to know these people knowing one day I will create memories with them that will stick with me for a lifetime. These are the values that have impacted me as a student at Bow Valley College.

Corey (2015) opined that “your values will affect your choice of a career path” (p. 25). The decisions we make are a reflection of our values and beliefs, and it impacts one’s behavior on how we will develop as a person and choose to live. In our society, this is presented by examples around us such as respect, consistency, compassion, and motivation. By presenting the value of respect, an individual is exhibiting consideration for a client’s feelings or wishes. This value will impact a person’s behavior and lifestyle by presenting civility, thoughtfulness, consideration, and politeness when around clients. This is an important value to live by in our society since it is part of the Golden Rule that goes the saying “Treat others as you want to be treated”.

Personally, for me, I admire the idea of working with clients that come from a different background than I do. In working with clients whose ethnic or cultural background is different from my own, it is my responsibility to show respect for them by not putting them in an uncomfortable position. I believe it is extremely important to engage actively when our clients bring us the topic they wish to talk about. Whether it is race, sexual orientation, gender, disability, religion, and socioeconomic status I think the concept of ‘multicultural counseling’ increases the population to grow more diverse by allowing a person to gain knowledge, sensitivity, and personal awareness of the clients bring into the therapeutic relationship. As a professional helper, learning about other cultures will help me understand different perspectives of the world we live in, help eliminate negative stereotypes, and gain more knowledge. However, while working with some clients, it can be a little challenging for me if they want to discuss and work on an issue that is against my belief system. Corey (2015) states “As your clients confront events that trigger their pain, memories of your own may be activated” (p. 42). There is no such thing as a perfect family. Similar to mine, every family is unique with its combination of advantages and disadvantages. At a very young age, my parents left me with my grandparents in Nepal due to low income. They went to Australia for a couple of years to find a job, since it was difficult to find any in Nepal around that time. As a young child, I never knew how much it hurt being neglected and away from my parents until I grew up and started attending school. Of course, my grandparents were there to support me, but being in my mother’s arms was a feeling I desperately craved each day. Similar to the saying “love is our mother; mother is the name for God and in hearts of children”. Growing up in Nepal with my grandparents was very tough from what I had expected. I would receive the love, but not the proper education to guide me toward my future. In school, the teacher would call out, ask me a question, and if I got the answer wrong, they would walk up to me, tell me to stand up, and hit me with a stick or a duster board in front of the entire class. It was humiliating, but that is just how Nepal works. All I did after was look down, let my tears drop on the paper, and never look up again. They believe kids have to “learn it the hard way” but do not realize how much damage it does to the person. I would receive no support from my aunts and uncles, making it challenging for me to pass my classes. They would constantly shout at me for not doing my work. I had to study by myself and my aunts and uncles, to this day I dislike always raising their hands at me. I would get abused. Physically and verbally every day leaving bruises on my body. There were so many times I wanted to run away, but just could not. All I thought about was my mother and father coming back for me to keep myself going. My value of family is something I admire dearly, but it is not perfect. I know I cannot impersonate my values on my client. However, speaking on family problems I strongly disagree with will cause me distress. Therefore, I do not feel that I will be beneficial to the client.

Growing up as an Asian is very difficult. For the majority of my life, I struggled tremendously with being abused by two of my family members. As a child, I suffered physical, verbal, and severe neglect. The neglect had a significant consequence, including a scar on my forehead from falling down the stairs. The verbal abuse includes name-calling and manipulation; the physical abuse – the kicking, slapping, and pushing. I can relate to the movie “Precious” on a personal level due to the mistreatment of a girl at such a young age. During school, she tries very hard to fit in the background; she dreams to be normal, hoping for long-lasting happiness, similar to the thoughts and feelings I had bottled up. If a client comes up to me with a similar problem regarding abuse, I am not sure how I would handle it. It is a very heavy topic and requires a lot of emotional support. However, as a helper, it is my responsibility to make sure I do not react so quickly toward my clients. To eliminate this, I will address my situation by avoiding actions that cause harm and being truthful to myself by recognizing personal triggers and signs. If I allow my values to get in the way of my client, the client’s liberty will be directly threatened, which can cause harm to the client by cheapening their personal beliefs and values. One way I would ensure that I am aware of my biases or cultural differences that may get in the way of someone I am working with is by getting to know them, respecting their culture, and sharing our cultural similarities and differences. This helps eliminate stereotypes. Getting to know someone rather than judging them off differences or stereotypes.

Ethics and values are what shape us into who we are today as a person and how we act in certain situations. Without Ethics and Values, I think that our society would be all over the place as people would not know their rights or wrongdoing. It is important to establish ethics and values to maintain a society where people should be able to function well with one another.

The knowledge acquired in schools and colleges, I believe is not an education, but the means to it. It is this belief that makes me a student to the end of my days, the obvious direction being curiosity towards exploration.

From the start, I had a passion for science and mathematics, which only grew as the years went by. My interest in the subjects led me to enroll myself in chemistry, physics, and mathematics during the 12th grade. During that time, I had the pleasure of creating many different electrical projects, such as a solar system-based house, push button LED, a tiny electric car, simple windmill. Apart from my academics, I also took part in various district and school-level competitions, including handcrafted ornaments, collage painting, the Coloring Competition, and Handwriting. I also was credited with many Certificates in scouts and guides where duty, unity, and discipline are the main mottos My participation further added to my mental aptitude the skills like teamwork, leadership, and communication. Thus, having scored good marks throughout and also with a good extra-curricular background helped me getting into Electrical Engineering at Government Engineering College, Bharuch, Gujarat, India.

During my undergraduate study, I was exposed to various courses like designs of electrical machines, engineering drawings, energy audits, and Control systems. I secured good results in my engineering. During my final year, I decided to build a small-scale CNC machine that was capable of doing various sorts of work like drawing, cutting, shearing, and welding From this perspective, I scored first class and good marks overall I would like to pursue further at your institution.

During my bachelor’s, I studied many subjects and each semester includes one or two subjects including designing. It all came with long pages of calculations, restraints, specifications, limits, and all. But what we are going to do if we have to represent our designs to someone? I don’t think they are going through the long-lasting calculations that we have carried out. Here, CADD provides us with a simple way of representation. Let’s just take a simple example I have one subject called design of DC machines during my final year of graduation. For a single design, it took 14-15 pages of long calculations. Imagine you have been asked to design a Machine. You do the math and determine all the dimensions and the material specifications. Now the technician, who does the actual assembling, will find it extremely difficult to read, interpret, and construct the Machine you have designed. It would be helpful for him if there was a diagrammatic representation of your design. It will include all small and accurate information in just one or two diagrammatic representations. This is where AutoCAD comes in. AutoCAD allows you to draw and thus communicate your design to the assembling technicians, manufacturers, and/or clients.

My earnest desire to continue my further studies at your university stems from that it is one of the reputed colleges of Quebec(Canada) providing overall development, expert faculties and variations of academic courses that are perfectly suitable to study in it. Also, the right path and kind of exposure that I am looking for to broaden my area of interest. The other reason, why I want to study at your esteemed institution is that it provides the kind of exposure needed to broaden my thinking and avoid any insular prejudices that might be still prevalent in me. Your institution is a confluence of people from every nationality, religion, and race. Overall development of my personality can be done and this will be going to a life-changing experience for me through transforming me into a real Professional in design and drafting with ample knowledge and the practicality of the actual world. I, therefore, realize the need for me to study at the center stage of activity in this field at your college in Canada.

I believe that a good graduate program is an essential step for realizing my long-term goals. I am aware of all perspectives regarding this chosen study which will improve my knowledge in the field. Later on, I would like to pursue a prestigious job in a reputed organization and I am very confident that being given chance at your University will allow me to prove myself and to reach your expectations without fail. The technical knowledge that I learn at this institution will help me in playing a role in the progress of mankind.

I sincerely hope that you will share my confidence by accepting me into your esteemed institution.

Our idea of self is powerfully influenced by the environment in which we grow up. We are born with good abilities to arrange information, feelings, thoughts including knowledge about our age, gender, race or ethnicity, occupation, social roles, talents, etc. Who am I? I grew up in China and Canada. My experiences in both countries ultimately shaped who I am and how I perceive the world. I am still constantly struggling in Canadian and Chinese different conflicting perspectives on social factors. It is always almost impossible to please both sides of me equally. My gender and my culture from both Chinese and Canadian perspectives play important role in shaping my norms, values, beliefs and life choices.

Growing up as a girl has brought significant meanings to me and it has shaped the way I am. I used to feel guilty for being a girl and I used to believe that girls are inferior than boys. For example, from the really beginning of my life, my gender upset some of my family members. Since One-Child Policy has been implemented nationwide in China, the strong culture of son preference has even intensified. My father was the only child of my grandparents and it was his great mission to maintain the patrilineality as the Chinese society is highly influenced by Confucianism. The combination of being Chinese and female can result particularly harsh outcomes. Intersectionality justifies how I experience life based on different identities I have. It is a metaphor to say there is cultural discrimination from one direction and gender discrimination from another direction. My gender also portrays my norms. From the age of 8 to 11, I lived with my grandparents and I was convinced to be a ‘good girl’. Being quiet, humble, sweet and submissive were the norms for a girl in my family. My life choices could also be affected by being a girl. My grandparents would always reinforce gender roles on me. For instance, I remember my grandmother told me that girls should rather learn to do housework than study. She thought there is no use for girls to be academically outstanding or to have a big career because if they work, their wealth will belong to their husband’s families after marriage. I did not refute my grandmother’s point of view on my life choices even though I disagreed with her because I did not dear to break the rules and I wanted to leave a good impression of myself for my family members. Goffman’s theory of dramaturgy can justify my behavior. My obedience was just a performance where I acted hard in order to make myself fit in the norms and make myself look convincing. Goffman named the presentation self as impression management. In 2013, when my parents decided to bring me to Canada for a better education and a better life environment, my grandmother found this was a meaningless decision since she thought that education for girls was something secondary and it was not worth it to ‘invest’ so heavily in me. Fortunately, both of my parents are open minded. They supported me to pursue my life goals and interests and that is why I ended up living in Canada, my second hometown.

Culture has also huge influence on defining who I am. There are some significant differences between Chinese charity culture and Canadian charity culture. And this was a complete cultural shock for me and it keeps on challenging my beliefs and values. School is another agent of socialization. The competitive Chinese education puts academic scores and grades above anything else. Unique to Chinese education, the final year of their high school is dedicated to taking a national final test, that is the only one which determines what kind of college they can attend. The test makes the future. For students in high schools, it is above anything else. In China, philanthropy was never really in people’s values because we are always busy with our own business and we are always facing huge competition. There is only self-interest that motivates people, so charity is not a common activity among Chinese people. When I was in China, I did not have any idea of charity actions. I was self-centered just like others. However, in Canada, we proudly promote the value of making a contribution to society without compensation. When I first attended my high school, I was the only one who was poor in both French and English, I was impressed when my school decided to offer me free tutoring in both languages and some special care. I was shocked by the amount of work in promoting the ‘Canadian values’ in the Canadian education: love, tolerance, acceptance, multiculturalism, equality, etc. As a receiver of charity from school, I felt extremely motivated by all those new elements of my worldview, therefore, I participated in a humanitarian trip project in Benin (West Africa) with my high school and that was definitely one of the most unforgettable experiences in my life. It gave me a chance to immerse myself in a foreign culture when giving back in a meaningful way.

I love Canada, the country that brings me a better living environment and a better education. However, I have never forgotten the fact that I was born and raised in China. The splendid Chinese culture was imprinted on my mind. It is a big chunk of my worldview. Despite the fact that China needs some improvements in certain domains, I am still so proud of being Chinese.

One of the most challenging things, in my opinion, is explaining oneself. We generally describe ourselves with our surroundings or other people. As a result, I describe myself as a responsible daughter, student, and caring friend.

I have always been a family-oriented person. My family’s greatest strength is our ability to be solid and one. They had a major impact on who I am today. They showed me how to express my feelings and how to hold those that are important to me. That is why I have no trouble adapting it to those around me.

I value my friendships very much. I would say that I am not a sociable individual, which is why I keep my circle small. Though I like meeting new people whose cultural and other backgrounds are diverse because they help mold my personality. But there is always a fine line between being a close friend and an acquaintance. Many people think I am a snobbish lady, but once they get to know me and I have opened to them, they quickly change their perception of me, and that we get along well. Friendship taught me unforgettable life lessons. Some life-changing experiences include learning how to love someone outside of the family. Friendships never trigger hard times; rather, they have the happiest memories to live by. Friendship taught me how to accept and trust others.

Meanwhile, being a student requires hard work and discipline. College life throws a lot of challenges in my way. It taught me how to socialize and shape my own opinions. I began to exercise my free will in education, and as a result, I became more self-assured and composed. But I never lose sight of the fact that I can have fun. I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Advertising and Public Relations because certain skillsets are relevant to my interests. Throughout my life and experiences, I have been intrigued by art and the fact that technology has made it much simpler by providing computer applications and smartphone apps that are used to build and create something fascinating. My mind is still not made up, but with my skillset and favored interests, I have developed a passion for the ever-expanding world of graphic design, which is why I strive to be a graphic designer.

I believe that maturing over time has greatly altered who I am. I have had to see and see a lot of things that I did not get to see or experience as a child. I have already met a lot of interesting people and been to a lot of different places. Any of my viewpoints on people and events have shifted significantly. I have also witnessed significant personal development, which has resulted in a change in my personality. I have since been more decisive with my decisions and interpersonal interactions.

Erikson states “adolescents struggle to discover their own identity while negotiating and struggle in a complex social world” (pg.211). The terms ‘Who am I?’, ‘Who do I want to be?’. These are the questions that I heard since elementary school and high school. So many people are on this journey to live a perfect life. I personally think it’s senseless. The reason why I say it’s senseless is because you have no idea what perfection is. Unless you’ve experienced imperfection. The point that I’m making, is that you should embrace your flaws and mistakes because they help make you who you’re supposed to be. Don’t run away from your hardship embrace it and become better.

I grew up in a household where my father was the old school Jamaican that thinks women should be treated unequal and treated like objects. He would verbally and physically abuse my sisters, my mom and I. We weren’t allowed to speak up about it. His mindset is that men are superior and that women should bowing down to them.

In elementary school, I was the typical shy nice kid that kept to myself in school and because of that, I was bullied from grade 4-7 before I moved to another school. As a self-conscious child, I was regularly harassing by two girls that chose to claim to be my companions and utilized me, influencing me to get their homework done and such. They would beat me for the sake of entertainment and spread bits of gossip about me. I was scared to tell my parents’ what was happening because my family believes that show sadness, pain, or anger makes you weak and exposes your vulnerability to others. One day I reach my breaking point and ask if I could move schools for the last year of elementary school. Even though I moved schools for grade 8 I was still being picked on the only thing that was different was I started to learn how to suppress my feelings. From then I knew that I wasn’t going to let anyone treat me this way.

In my first year of high school, I knew that what happened in elementary was not going to happen again but it was hard to change from a person that kept to their self and that is quite to this outspoken person that wasn’t self-conscious. This an example of Marcia identity moratorium where I “actively exploring alternatives in an attempt to form an identity” (pg.212). Two years into high school I started dating this guy where I thought it was a healthy relationship but he cheated on me numerous times and verbally and physically abused. I was basically blinded by him think that he loved me. After I realize that I was in the same situation as my mother and father and become the person that I never thought that I would be I needed to leave that relationship.

People say high school is the years of your life I’m not so sure about that After that I felt like I become a robot cold and uninterested towards people even though I grow up with a father like that I would still find a way to not make it affect me but after that relationship I just became dark inside. Personality is supposed to be a wide term and considers the physical just as the psychological condition of a person.

That was my turning point I knew that I actually have to change the way I think about myself. I started to go to counselling because of the bottled-up emotions that I suppress since elementary and that relationship. Counselling really helped me identify strengths in myself and reassured me that I don’t have to change my whole personality to become a person that speaks up for them self when need and can still be the same introvert and also have a strong personality.

Now that I’m in college my personality has even more freedom where I can actually realize being outspoken has helped me from multiple points of view, one of them being that I will always stand up for myself when I am in an awful circumstance. I am not the sort of individual you can walk all over or talk down as well, and I can thank my bluntness for that. Since I go to bat for myself, I won’t allow people to take advantage of me and at last it really helps a circumstance. In Marcia statuses, this would be an example of identity achievement where I “have explored alternatives and have developed commitments” (pg.212).

Finding your true self is quite hard and a long journey. Having a personality that plays on me being introvert shy person where people would think that I’m underdog but also outspoken when it comes to things that I’m passion about person allow me to be comfortable of who I’m. So, as to reveal our identity and why we act the manner in which we do, we need to know our very own story. Being bold and willing to investigate our past is a critical venturing stone making progress toward getting ourselves and getting to be who we need to be. These experiences have jointly shaped my outlook on myself and life.