<p>
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though many adults may not realize this--just taking some time to talk to a youth (even if you are a stranger) may just be enough to give him/her some inspiration, ensuring that he/her will be on the right path of goodness and prosperity.
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That is so true. I've experienced it myself.</p>
<p>I've had family issues myself as well. I can position myself in your shoes, although I have never had to go to a shelter and psychiatrist (I'd be too scared to do that, actually), so you know more about that than I do. You've definitely been through a lot. I think your parents need to understand that times are different now, and it's perfectly okay for you to surpass their level. If you attend a good college and obtain a well-respected occupation, it'll help support you and your parents, and I'm sure they would try to understand your situation. It's a bit hard convincing tenacious parents about such issues, I suppose, but time can change that.</p>
<p>Yes, hopefully they will understand. But if they don't, I'll have to go on and manage. They just have this somewhat resentful attitude for the upper class (and I guess some of that has rubbed off on me, but I wouldn't say it's that bad) and they think I get crazy ideas from my friends "whose parents are doctors and lawyers" (or so they think). Also, I think my dad is the only one in my family (well, on his side) at the moment who will have a college degree (and it's because the military's paying it in exchange for his 30-year service). My Filipino relatives on my mother's side are very successful; however, it's the Philippines, so things are quite different over there...</p>
<p>Thanks for your feedback! I was at first scared of going to the psychiatrist, but I realized that I seriously need help and I must do this for my own good. I thought my friends would think I was a nutcase and avoid me, but they totally understand, and I'm thankful for that. Just because you go to a "shrink" doesn't mean you're "sick in the head". Why are people so intolerant (my mother)?</p>
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Also, I think my dad is the only one in my family (well, on his side) at the moment who will have a college degree
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Same here. Except he wants me to surpass his level. I don't think I'd want to go though graduate school. Ugh. See? There's a problem with overachieving parents, too. Like I'll make it...</p>
<p>Heh, I'm glad you're not one of those people that disses my feedback. Phew. I've been through a lot of that, and it certainly wasn't pleasant. My mom is a bit intolerant of the littlest things ever. When I don't do a certain thing, such as putting the plates on the counter when I'm finished with eating, she gets upset easily because I don't follow orders. I'm really busy 24/7, and I guess she doesn't acknowledge that I have stresses of my own as well. Then when I do follow orders after she gets upset, it doesn't make her any happy. She really kills the mood of my family sometimes. My dad, on the other hand, is never like that. He's your typical jovial person. I don't know how I manage to pull through every day. My mom isn't angry like that all the time though. Perhaps that's what keeps me sane.</p>
<p>Yeah, my mother is like that too. It's either wash the dishes immediately after you eat, or face a monsoon of screams. My parents tell me that I do nothing to help them, but I DO! I help clean the house. I do everyone's laundry. I take care of my sister in my mother's absence. But because I'm in high school now, I need more time for myself, mainly so I can get all my homework done to the point at which I'm satisfied (it sucks being an overachiever; you always think something's wrong...). So my parents make it seem like homework is my life, my inner boss, and I think they're being so irrational. Because nothing's been going on right now, I don't do my homework until seven or eight, and even though it doesn't take me that long (two hours, recently), my parents exaggerate and say that I'm "doing too much", mainly to create an excuse that I shouldn't be involved. I wish I could slap some sense into them...</p>
<p>Haha... concerning "surpassing my dad's level": that's not the case with my dad. He's said some disparaging things, like, "you won't even last high school if you're going to live with us with your attitude. You know what? You're not even going to last your senior year and you're not getting one penny from me!" And it's all unnecessary shouting and profanity in between. He doesn't realize how stupid he sounds when he rages...</p>
<p>And what's even funnier is that my dad got an offer from my school to teach world history/geography this fall (which will be my sophomore year. Fortunately he can't teach AP since it's his first year!). I have some teachers on my side who are aware of the issues I have with him, so hopefully they might intervene next year when something comes up (which most likely will happen). He's such a hypocrite. He talks about morals that a teacher should have, yet he barely shows that demeanor as a father...</p>
<p>People shouldn't diss other people's feedback. If they want feedback and that's what they get, they should be thankful for it.</p>
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My mom tells me that all the time! She has threatened to quit some of my programs, too, because she thinks that it'll go to waste when I grow up because I'll just desert her (like when did I even mention that?) in a few years. I don't know WHERE she got that idea, but I never said anything like that. She also warns me that I have to pay back the tuition for school, music lessons, orchestra payments, athletic fees, etc. And she only says that when she gets upset - she would never make me do such a thing. Every time she gets distressed, the whole family goes down. Seriously. That's what I hate about having a mom with emotions that go up and down. One minute she's happy, the next, angry. You can never tell what's next. Sometimes, I am fearful of what will happen because it's so unpredictable.</p>
<p>Is she superstitious? My mom is, and it's kind of laughable at times. But scoffing at what she believes has gotten me in some deep crap, so I've learned the valuable lesson of keeping my mouth shut. </p>
<p>My parents have actually made me drop some of my stuff after threatening too. But then again, you can say that these things are cliche ECs, and it won't be until next year when we actually have some good ECs (like NFL Debate, baby!!!) that I can make a name for myself. This will give the 'rents an oppurtunity to try and take them away from me, but I pray nothing bad happens... and as I have vowed, I WON'T let nothing bad happen anymore. </p>
<p>So you go to a private school? Just curious, 'cause you said "school tuition". What grade are you in? Once again, it's my curiosity, and you just seem really interesting.</p>
<p>Yeah, I've dropped ballet, abacus, drawing, and a number of other things that I can't think of. But my mom isn't superstitious. She's just paranoid like that. I had to give up debate this year, sadly. =/ But I hope I can take it up again next year. I'm doing.</p>
<p>Yes, I do go to a private school. Tuition at $10K this year, going up at $11,100. Not to mention my sibling, who goes to my sister school (a different institution) and has a tuition rate that is about the same as mine (same private school district). I'm a junior, so things have been hard this year. I've never really had a real problem with my family until the last few months. It's been quite difficult, but I hope the next 26 school days go by quickly. Then it's summer.
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you just seem really interesting.
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Hey, you seem interesting to me, too. =) I always thought you were a guy, did I tell you that? But the way you've opened up now has changed everything.</p>
<p>Well, I hope it gets better for you and your family. And yes, it's kind of shocking that summer is coming so soon. Sad that I most likely will not see my friends who will most likely change over the course of two months, but it gives me an opportunity to run like crazy, considering that I would like to do cross country/track... it would give me another excuse to stay away from home, and besides, I need to run to relieve my stress and angst. </p>
<p>Wow. Your private schools seem pretty cheap. The ones in San Antonio (which is 45 minutes away from here, at the most) are around 20K a year (we're talking about St. Mary's Hall and Incarnate Word, if you've ever heard of them). </p>
<p>Yeah, you told me you thought I was a guy. Again, I thought "Vigilante" added femininity, but my assumptions are always proved wrong. </p>
<p>Yeah, the private schools in my district are cheap. They're not like Harker or Castilleja, which costs about $25,000. I've heard of Incarnate Word, but not St. Mary's Hall.</p>
<p>"Righteous" made it seem like you were a guy, I guess. I didn't really pay attention to "Vigilante" as much.</p>
<p>I'm probably going to be elected on the Associated Student Body Council, since I'm running unopposed, so I'll have to attend a leadership institute at Stanford from June 12 - June 16. Then I'm going on a two-week tour with my orchestra to China, which will be from June 20 - July 4. I have applied for two programs (one that takes place from July 10 - July 21, another from August 6 - August 10), so if I get in, I'll be gone for an additional three weeks. I have orchestra camp from August 12 - 19 already on my calendar. It'll be my busiest summer yet. I didn't do much for my frosh-soph and soph-junior summers. I often stayed at home and completed my summer reading assignments for English.</p>
<p>What are your plans?</p>
<p>Yikes. It's 3:26 AM here and my parents just got a little disappointed with me at the computer. Oops. I'll continue tomorrow. Why are you still up anyway? You're a freshman - get some sleep!</p>
<p>Coolness. Congratulations on Associated Student Body Council, the Stanford leadership institue, and China! Sounds really interesting! Busy things are good. I hate being bored...</p>
<p>My plans?
Well, I love to write and have a chapter of a novel written down, so I might as well finish it. I also want to delve more into French and Russian, though I should have picked Chinese instead. I'm just focusing on what I like for now...</p>
<p>But if I can get a ride, I would just like to volunteer/intern at a nearby law office, mainly because I've always wanted to be a lawyer (can't decide between prosecutor or defense attorney, though). My friend's mom works for the local D.A., so most likely that's where I'm headed. </p>
<p>Gosh. English summer reading assignments. Don't we deplore them all? I always get some for Spanish too, although those are more interesting. </p>
<p>Hmm... it's 5:31 A.M. here. I slept really early yesterday, so that's why I'm up. Bye! Nice talking to you! And don't worry. I will get more sleep...</p>
<p>R_V:
I have a friend who happens to be in a very similar situation as you are. He is the youngest in a family of three boys. His parents own a Chinese restaurant, and they require the boys to dedicate SIX hours per day to working at the restaurant. As a result he could not participate in sports or other ECs. He is very smart, but recently kept getting Cs in classes. I highly doubt he will be permitted to go to college.
Hope this helps to put some perspectives of your situation.</p>
<p>I can't really say much to you except, in my old korean saying, "Do what you can and then look for the sky for guidance." About the novel, really consider it. You know most really good novels are almost autobiographies. William Faulkner's novels are all based on his life in the south, Fitzgerald always has a character that is him in his novels (e.g "I" in Great Gatsby"). Your experienece is what makes the novel look real. Your experience is what grasps the readers and forces them to keep on reading. You are merely communicating your heart to the people, and when you do that people listen.</p>