Thanks for making me who I am

So as I was sitting doing nothing this morning, it dawned over me that I am finally beginning to see a little bit of who I am. This is so surprising and exciting to me because ever since I started high school, I have been struggling to figure out who I am. This journey has taken me through ups, but sadly many more downs than anything else. None the less, the end result seems to be well worth all of the struggles my family and i have endured over the last 4 years. So this is just going to be me talking about what I have learned from each person that has become a part of me and thanking them for all that they've done.

I'd like to start with the four people who have been their for me since day 1 (which was December 17,1990)

My Grandma:

Although we now have so many differences now, we once were inseperable. Now I may not like to admit that we have things in common or that she has had any posative affect on my life, there really is no way to deny any of those things. This is the list of values, lessons, and such that I have learned from my Grandmother, that are now a part of me.

- Generosity: is really the major thing I have learned from my grandmother. She is always willing to give and help others. She has always been more than generous to all of us, her family, our friends, her friends, even random people in the street.

- Caution: Being a social worker, my grandmother lectured me and lectured me some more about being careful with men and never going places alone and to make sure to always be aware of my surroundings. After all of the years of lecturing, I can finally say its done me some good.

- Cleanliness: When I was younger, I would come back to Sacramento for the summers, and she would yell at me for leaving a towel on the floor, or clothes on the floor, and things such as that. Though it annoyed me at the time, I have learned that it really is a valuable thing to make basic cleanliness a habit, hanging your towel up, putting your dirty clothes in the hamper. it makes it more simple to do it when you visit other people's houses, and stops your room from smelling like mildew >.<>

My Grandpa:

One of the people who have always been on my side, always protecting me from myself and everyone else. Always pushing me to do better.

- My grandfather always encouraged me to do my best in school. he is the reason that I am in college right now

- He always trusted me even when I wasn't so trust worthy

- He encouraged my mom to give me a second chance even when i really didn't deserve one he is the reason i have so much faith in people

- He encouraged my love of music. Taught me to love the blues, jazz, and old R&B

- Has come to almost every performance, singing, acting, even if he had to come all the way across the country for one show.

- He has taught me that sometimes its best to sit back and deal with problems logically instead of emotionally.

My Mom:

My mother is one of the strongest women I know. She has given me so much more than most teenage single mothers ever give their kids. Much of the thanks goes to my grandparents, but the decision to let me continue into existance was no ones choice but my mothers, and I am so glad that she made that decision.

- She has taught me that sometimes things happen and they have nothing to do with you.

- she has taught me that love truly can be unconditional

- she has taught me that anything is possible

- that family is important

- to welcome change

- to love freedom

- to get the best out of a compromise

- to love books

- to welcome and adapt to change

- to know that every problem has a solution

- to care about people

- that you can always find a friend in a dog

- that I am not responsible for anyones happiness but my own

- That reggae music can become the beat you live to

- that intelligance is valued above beauty, but its awfully nice to have both

- that only I know whats best for me

- that its ok to go even if everyone else thinks you'll fail

- that people really can change

My Aunt:

My Aunt has always been one of my favorite people. Once again, one of the strongest women i know.

- She taught me that fun should never be underrated

- that big parties never get old

- that virgin daquiries are one of the most tastey things on earth

- that who you socialize with can either make you or break you

- that there is nothing wrong with rocking expensive jeans daily

- that staying fit should be a habit not a hardship

- that everyone needs their own personal cheerleader, who still roots for them, even when they miss the winning basket

- its okay to want a Hummer

- That clothes are even more fashionable when you make them yourself

- that sewing is a pretty cool hobby

- that when life deals you lemons, you can always cut them up and wedge them on the side of glass filled with a tastey beverage

- that you should never be afraid to ask for what you want

- that writing is one of the best ways to release both creativity and emotions

Now for the other people who have taught me a few things in my life time

Jennifer:

She has been my best friend since preschool. Every summer I would come back to California, and she would be there, and make me feel like I had never left. Like the sister I never had (well before evelyn). She has taught me a lot.

- never judge a book by its cover, two totally different people can be the best of friends

- some friendships can last forever

- never having an argument over 15 years of friendship really isn't as unhealthy as it sounds

- we can change but our friendship always stays the same

- supporting your friends in what they do is one of the major parts of a friendship

- that dancing and doing the hustle through the mall can really embarass your friends (lol)

Kenneth:

My cousin-brother is one of the coolest 11 year olds I know... even if I only know two. he's smart and funny and interesting. And he's always been my best friend when I had no one else.

- he has shown me that i am important. he looks up to me, wants to like the things I like and do the things I do. Gives me a reason to do right (now i have two more reasons to do my best)

- he has shown me that im beautiful, even when I don't feel it so much. he's always the first person to say *well taylor you look nice today* or *i like your shirt*

- he has shown me that even if im not considered cool by the people at school, i always have him to think I'm one of the coolest people ever (well, besides the dude on Jurassic park)

My Aunt Della and Uncle Race:

My Uncle Race is very sick. He can't move by himself, can't speak anymore, and needs someone to constantly take care of him. His wife, Della, stays home all day almost everyday to take care of him.

- the one thing that they have taught me, is that true love really does exist. She stays and takes care of him herself all day, because of how much she still loves him after all of these years, and when she walks in the room, even though he can't move or speak, you can see Uncle Race's eyes light up. True love exists, and it can last forever.

Bobby:

For a long time, Bobby was the closest thing I had to a father besides my grandpa. he taught me many things, that I have kept as a part of my life long after our lives went their seperate ways.

- Rock music isn't just noise, it's love it's pain it's anger it's nonsense its fun its life

- Country music can be good room cleaning music

- Photographs really are more than just pictures, they are memories

- Everything tastes better with fatback... except fatback doesn't taste very good by itself

- That the only good reason to watch cars drive around in circles for 4 hours straight is because NASCAR zooms in on the crashes.

- Never underestimate the healing powers of a good day at the arcade with cheese burgers, coke, and go karts

- Stuffed Mooses are only the best things to collect on earth

- Table ettiquette and saying thank you are very important

- Do more than the bare minimum in school

- Burger King (im sorry Kang) every morning before school takes about 3 school years to finally get old

- Sometimes its best to move on

- There is so much more to white people in trailers than what most people think

Thomas:

Even though he is one of the newest additions to my life. I have learned one major thing from the Thomas that we all know and love.

- that nothing is ever to broken to fix, you just gotta put a lot of effort into fixing it