On life, recently

A few days ago, I was walking across campus and it suddenly hit me: I am so lucky to have gotten to spend the last four years here, living and learning. Berkeley is a beautiful campus and a wonderful place to grow. It really pushes you to be better and more accepting of other views and beliefs. It grows you as a person, but only if you let it in to your mind and heart. Accept the guidance of others, even when it's hard, but never be afraid to let go of the things that don't push you to where you WANT to be in this life. You only get one shot, so do things that make you happy, healthy, and sane. Don't hold onto the negativity; it holds you back.

Living in the Bay Area, I got the chance to get closer to a part of my family who have done so much for me, even before they really knew me. They taught me a lot about our world and became truly wonderful role-models. My grandma taught me to be myself, even if no one likes it. If they love me, they'll accept me. But don't be an ass, no one likes that... There is an art to being yourself without being mean to people or being just plain rude about your beliefs. You should practice respect in all aspects, but especially in the art of disagreement. If you can respectfully disagree with people or beliefs, you'll get a lot farther in life. My great-grandma taught me a lot about loving someone whom you have absolutely no requirement to love, and how to do it without ever making that person feel like an outsider. My grandpa taught me how to be a better person by showing me how I don't want to be, which is not a bad thing, just a different outlook. There is always a way to get better and work on yourself. He also showed me how to look at the world and society differently than most people. Be weird if that's who you are because holding back only affects you, really. They've been great and I wish them the best on their next journey. Safe travels!

Although, even though I was close to some of my extended family, I still lived on my own and experienced becoming my own person without the pressure of fitting into someone preconceived notion of who I SHOULD become in this world. I was able to explore multiple paths and ways to live my life in an attempt to see what fits me rather than what others think should fit me.

I expanded my worldview through travel, student and professor interactions, and just general exposure to a bigger world than just the here and now in the Berkeley community. Im not saying that living in the present is bad, but make sure you're working towards a bigger plan in the log run. I worked with people who made me a better coworker, daughter, friend, and person. I was challenged daily and given ample opportunity to succeed.

Life's been hard and money's been tight, but I've gained so much from this experience..

I learned how to work with others coming from different backgrounds and/or views toward a common solution that works for everyone. I learned how to let go when its just too stressful to hold on. I learned how to say goodbye gracefully and how to hold on for all its worth. I discovered how to be angry with someone without it seeping into everything else and how to forgive when I just cannot keep being angry. I learned how to disagree and how to compromise. I learned how to interact with disagreeable people with respect. I learned how to love people when just liking them is difficult, how to accept people for what they are at face value and not try so hard to mold them into what they aren't, when to give no quarter and when to give it all you've got. And best of all, I learned how to love without holding back, how to give without expecting anything in return, and how to be enjoy life for all its aspects.

Don't ever forget how to let go and have fun LIVING life. Don't let yourself get caught up in all the bullshit that happens. Its truly not worth it...

Much love. I plan on infusing this life with love... <3 <3 <3