A few people were disappointed by my last post. And I'm sorry, I really am. I didn't mean that to be a reflection of how I feel every day or about my experience in general. I just meant to show that while I had the most wonderful opportunity, and more help than I could ever hope to have, I still have my bad days and life still isn't perfect.
When I go back to Sunset, sometimes I feel like I'm made to be this model student, like I'm not completely real. The feelings I expressed on that day were just meant to reflect some of the things I think about. Mrs. Grimes, I don't expect Harvard to change for me nor do I think I deserve more than I have. I feel blessed that God has put me in a place where I can help others. I do struggle and I have some hard times but I realize that the work that I do will help both my family and my community and even myself. In some families of recent immigrants, the first born doesn't even get to go to college. They have to work and help their siblings finish school and maybe get them to go to college. My parents worked very hard to get me where I am and they made sure that I understood that I was lucky and I should be grateful for what I have. and I am. Harvard has opened up countless opportunities for me. I have had a chance to see wonderful things, the Dalai Lama, the Prime minister of Algeria, a member of the Israeli Armi, a transformation at Sunset. I have done and seen things that people only dream of doing. I am greatly blessed.
Thanks to those of you who worried about me and who wondered what in the world was wrong with me. I'm usually a very optimistic person who thinks she can take over the world, but sometimes, I have bad days too. And you are right Vickie, we do have an advantage in the real world.
On another note, during my spring break I was able to visit schools all over the district and one in Richardson (Berkner). I finished the week completely exhausted but satisfied. Satisfied because I got to talk to students, change some Harvard stereotypes, encourage them to go to college, and even Harvard. I saw groups of them in the counselor's office asking for SAT applications, and I was proud of them. I was proud that they listened, that they chose to believe that they could do it. And they can.
