<p>Please describe the factors and challenges that have most shaped your personal life and aspirations. How have these factors caused you to grow?</p>
<p>As I fed my uncle’s clamorous roosters I could not help but think to myself: they need love too. As I tried to fathom the frustration of these majestic birds, I couldn’t help but notice that they require patience and opportunities in order to achieve their full potential; like me. I have faced situations similar to the weather beaten, caged, and lonely but beautiful creature.</p>
<p>As a Mexican American I was stuck between identifying with either culture, like a caged animal, this caused me great dissatisfaction in my earlier years of high school; however, I realized I don’t need to fit in. I struggled with substance abuse as a young Hispanic teen in order to feel accepted by today’s teen “social standards” but I slowly started to isolate myself from negative influences. This was easier said than done; after a while I began to feel like an outcast. “Beaner!”, “Loner!”, and “Whitewashed” were a few of the common labels that were given to me. I began to feel confused and disdained. This infuriated me to the point that I wanted to break the racial stereotype of being an uneducated, dependent, juvenile delinquent.</p>
<p>As I took on my path towards challenging myself academically and athletically in order to keep myself from the temptations of social negatives, I was beaten down by numerous people. I was continued to be bullied for my religious pertinence, my lack of assertiveness towards others (that Latino males are “supposed” to have), and my disability of being partially deaf. Despite all odds, I kept going. I have been rained on every step of the way, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel: a better future.</p>
<p>I drove myself to not care what people said, thought, or heard of me. I want to go to college, I want to be successful on a whole different spectrum, and I want to help those around me. That is why I am aiming for the medical field, where I can attend to others and feel satisfied with my work. I especially want to attend to teenagers and children that come from disadvantaged backgrounds that are more exposed to social negatives such as drugs, violence, and gang affiliation.</p>
<p>Although I feel like there is no way out at times, I always find a way to make it motivate me to do better. That is why patience will always lead to greatness when it refers to me. Loneliness comes and goes but the true supporters are always there. I started out a confused animals but ended up a sprouting tree.</p>
<p>Does it sound like I'm complaining?</p>
<p>Am I off track?</p>
<p>Does it sound cliché?</p>
<p>Any advice and suggestions will be greatly appreciated</p>
@gibby</p>