<p>My seventeen-year journey to this point hasnt been an easy one but, its truly shaped the person I am today. For starters, I am the oldest of my mothers children. I will also be the first of my entire family to graduate high school, let alone attend a four-year university. Ive had plenty of personal, family, and economic problems. Its difficult to paint the full picture of who I am and all that I can contribute. Many people often say that the world we live in molds us into the type of people we are. That the kind of environment we live in whether it be good or bad is a reflection of the person we are. For instance, those who grew up in a good community or respectful family are said to be the most successful. I beg to differ, the way I see it, people who have never been exposed to real struggle or challenges cannot obtain the necessary life skills to make better decisions and be more independent and succeed. From my own personal encounters, I believe that the more you are exposed to different types of environments the more skills you acquire to lead a successful lifestyle. In the world I live in I’ve always been one to absorb knowledge from all aspects of my life.
Growing up, however, I did not always dream big. Having a father as an alcoholic can make life very unstable. Growing up my father was both physically and psychologically abusive to my mother, and I. The inevitable downward spiral of a manic depressive alcoholic was the sign that I needed to work on being a better individual to help my family get back on track. I learned how to put on a pretty smile even after hours of crying. I learned how to be a strong female and surely an independent one at a very young age. When the recession hit, the recession hit hard. My dad was laid off at his job where he worked for over nineteen years. So it was now up to my mother, who worked harder than ever, cleaning countless houses. Every day after school I go help her clean her clients homes. Although I dreaded helping my mother I received a satisfactory feeling, like I was useful, and learned a lot from it. I decided to get involved more in school and try harder because I wanted a brighter future than the one my parents had. At age sixteen I got my own job and helped pay bills around the house. I learned to make the best out of the least. I appreciated everything to its fullest. The grand scheme of how our world works perplexes me, but drives my desire to continue my education and pursue what previously seemed impossible.
Ive defied the odds. Therefore, the cards Ive been dealt in life shape my goals. I am a survivor and the environment I was born into made me one. After years of self-loathing, I can proudly say that I am an independent, strong, young lady who is passionate about creating positive change in my peers, school, community, and the world. Life will continue to have its challenges; I have, and will, continue to beat the odds.</p>
<p>@Danicinglovely That is a really well-written statement!! Which national committee are you applying through?</p>
<p>@RipCity14 Yeah! There are only a couple other places I’d rather be :P</p>
<p>pretty sure my statement was miles off the standard of that. uh oh…</p>
<p>it’s incredible!</p>
<p>Wowww, just got my app and I don’t even know what to write. At all. Like for anything.</p>
<p>@smelltheroses91, definietly! I can imagine having a fb group for 2014-2016 Ad students, and we reveal our names there, and we’ll be surprised by seing each other’s names there. Sweet dreams… 
@RipCity14, that’s why I haven’t written all of my essays yet. I’ve written one, but I don’t feel like now is the best time for the others. I wait until I feel ‘ready’, and I have my best ideas to the essay.</p>
<p>@RipCity shhiit what questions have u got??</p>
<p>@Hedwig8, some stuff about India’s economic growth and nuclear energy. Then there’s one of those artsy abstract photos and I’m supposed to write what I think it means. Then the usual questions. What sets me apart from other kids, how would UWC prepare me for adulthood.</p>
<p>@lalalarae
omg you lucky thing! What i would give to live out there… sigh… i’ve never been but it sure looks beautiful compared to here! however… due to the snow… i got a SNOW DAY! this happens all the time in Canada…perks of being a Canadian ahahha
this is almost exactly what it looks like from my window!
<a href=“http://www.wallsave.com/wallpapers/2560x1024/green-trees/2216023/green-trees-winter-forest-snow-2216023.jpg[/url]”>http://www.wallsave.com/wallpapers/2560x1024/green-trees/2216023/green-trees-winter-forest-snow-2216023.jpg</a></p>
![http://www.wallsave.com/wallpapers/2560x1024/green-trees/2216023/green-trees-winter-forest-snow-2216023.jpg[/url]](http://www.wallsave.com/wallpapers/2560x1024/green-trees/2216023/green-trees-winter-forest-snow-2216023.jpg%5B/url%5D){kind=link}
<p>I’m so jealous that you can have sun and WHITE SAND!!!</p>
<p>@RipCity14, ohh dear, what kind of questions. I only have questions abou my interests, grades, personality, whether I am involved in sports, arts and so on. And the essays. Nothing like pictures and nothing about the country or its economics.</p>
<p>@smelltheroses91, you are so lucky. I love snow so much. It was snowing two days ago here, but it melted away right after touching the ground.</p>
<p>@smelltheroses91, well the grass (or snow or sand) is always greener (or whiter or yellower) on the other side 
I’ve never seen snow fall 
Always wanted to of course.</p>
<p>@Danicinglovely
that’s quite an original start! I really felt touched by it, i love how you can express yourself so vividly through your words… that’s something i struggle with-- i’m more of a person to person expresser!(def not a word )</p>
<p>if i were to mention anything to help you out i would go over the introduction… It seems a little choppy at first (however gets excellent later on) and use of vocab could be improved-- such as when you say “For starters,” – maybe try – to start, or firstly! I would definatly go over the first intro and try not to have to many “statement” sentences… for instance –
- I’ve had plenty of personal, family, and economic problems.
2.It’s difficult to paint the full picture of who I am and all that I can contribute.</p>
<p>it could be—
I’ve had plenty of personal, family, and economic problems which makes even more difficult to paint the full picture of who I am and all that I can contribute.</p>
<p>get the flow and you’re on a row 
but other than that its seems very well written. keep adding to it as the deadline approaches so it can be smooth and impactful (is that a word?)</p>
<p>@RipCity14
REALLY!?!
that’s so sad now that i think about it… i wish i could bring you here to see and feel it… its a snowy wonderland outside today. I’m guessing you’re from India based on your other response…
How is it there?! I’m actually part Pakistani so i can relate I do, however miss the blazing hot weather… sigh…
and if you are from india… what part?!</p>
<p>@MediDuet you know what i saw happen last year?! They made a fb group with all the people from this forum! WE SHOULD DO THAT
It would be a dream come true if i got in and got to meet all of you there! it would most certainly be wild ;)</p>
<p>@smelltheroses91, I’m from Mumbai, but I’m living in Dubai. It’s not THAT bad here it’s currently about 26 degrees celsius and this is one of the cooler days. It will get the most cool around mid december to end January. But during summer… During summer it reaches 50 degrees celsius.</p>
<p>That’s one of the reasons RCN is my second choice :P</p>
<p>dubai!!!
wow i visited there last summer! What a city… honestly its incredible. And shopping…oh man the shopping ;)</p>
<p>@smelltheroses91, yeah as a guy, shopping isn’t really my thing 
And yes it’s a nice place to visit if you’ve never been to a city like this before, but if you live here, you’ll realize it isn’t that great. I went to Canada for two months and realized how much I was missing out on.</p>
<p>@RipCity14
AHHAHAHAAH omg i completely forgot that i could possibly be talking to a guy. I’m so so sorry LOL… i guess i saw all these usernames that tended to point towards girls like lalarae or even me- smelltheroses
And hey let me shop for you and you’ll see what shopping can do
I’ve only been to Dubai once and it was only for three days. It’s quite and adventure to embark on… but i guess that’s it afterwards. I found it to be more of a touristy place… and was disappointed that i didn’t get to see the real culture (even though we did try to go to some heritage sites)
However i can say it was a remarkable city…
Where did you go in Canada? What was your favorite thing about this place?</p>
<p>Once in my life I’ll go to Dubai and spend a couple of days watching the A380s taking off and landing. I love planes and aviation and Emirates has so many A380s.</p>
<p>@smelltheroses91, no worries, I think there are only like two guys here, me being one of them. And shopping with your female friends = maybe bearable. Shopping with your friend’s girlfriend = makes lobotomy look like a fun afternoon. My experience with shopping is not very nice. If I have to buy new clothes I go by myself, but hey, I’m always open to trying again </p>
<p>And yes, that’s what I don’t like about Dubai. It’s a tourist town. Very little real heritage.</p>
<p>And I have some family in Mississauga. I loved how the people were. They’re open you know. You can’t have a serious conversation with a guy here, I guess Indian culture is kinda like that. I suggested going to a movie with my friend in Dubai, he thought it was gay if only the two of us went. I also liked that you actually had amenities. Soo many parks, and basketball courts (I love basketball), and the place is just so beautiful.</p>
<p>@MediDuet, I have been on the A380 4 times, and twice, I had the luxury of flying Business class! My dad got irritated because ‘I didn’t actually use the flatbed’ though lol.</p>