It’s Only Awkward if you Make it Awkward
  My mother has been there for me since day one. She helps me with everything I do and always supports me. My mom has always told me that I will never get anything done if I don’t get out of my comfort zone. Last year around Halloween she told me this again. A new family had moved into our neighborhood and they had a daughter my age who went to my school. She told me that I should meet her and I was skeptical because I assumed that she wouldn’t be interested in meeting some random people. My mom talked me into it and at first it was extremely awkward. However, we are now inseparable. I am forever grateful that my mom convinced me to meet who is now my best friend. My mother continually teaches me to push myself to become better. She has also taught me to never be afraid of awkwardness and discomfort, because that is where we grow. She also tells me that what other people think matters so much less than I think it does. My mom has helped to build who I am and constantly gives me an example of how to live. I am who I am because of her.

The Farmer’s Daughter and the Professional Dancer

  It has always amazed me how different the different sides of my family are yet how many similarities they have in common. I find this is most evident with my grandparents.

  My grandma on my dad’s side has always been fashionable, stylish, and works in improving the community. She grew up modeling, doing dance and was a professional dancer in her early twenties. She always has her nails done and is always trying the new nail trends. However, my grandmother on my mom’s seems to be the opposite. She grew up on a farm and when referencing her younger self, she always says she was the “farmer’s daughter”. She serves others individually and though she is and has always been beautiful, clothes and makeup seem to be her last priority.  

  Last year my Mom’s parents came into town for a couple weeks. During that time I was doing my nails. My grandma sat down next to me and I explained what I was doing. I offered to do her nails and she agreed and stated that she had never had her nails done before. After eighty-something years of living, she had never had her nails done. On the other hand, my grandma on my Dad’s side has had her nails done hundreds of times in her life.

  Though there are many differences, the similarities out number the differences. Both sides of my family keep family and religion as their top priorities. All of my grandparents make an effort to support all of their grandchildren in all they do. My grandparents have contributed to who I am. My life has been devoted to the Performing arts and music as my grandpa was an opera singer and my grandma was a professional dancer. I have learned hard work because of my grandparents’ example. I am who I am because of them.

The Magic of the Law School Locker

  My dad is one of the most selfless people I know. When I was very young, my dad was in law school. I don’t remember much about this time but I do remember one thing: his locker. On the outside, this looked like any other locker. But on the inside it was so much more especially to me and my siblings. My dad, who at this time was both working and going to school full time, had used his time and energy to fill his locker with treats and toys for us kids to have when we visited him. I may not have appreciated it enough at the time, but I now see the sacrifice this was. He was not only providing for his kids and making sure that he had enough education to make our futures as bright as possible, but he was creating a fun environment and making the entire experience for us so much fun. We went to his locker all the time, and when he graduated we even made sure to stop by. 

  My father has dedicated his life to not only being a great father and provider but making life more enjoyable and creating experiences that my siblings and I will remember for the rest of our lives. By being the great person he is, he has set the standard for my future. I want to become a mother who creates experiences like this for her children and I want to marry someone just like my dad. He has shown how important education is and has always instructed me to get the highest education possible. My dad has truly gone above and beyond and has instilled a good work ethic and a love for learning in me. I am who I am because of him.

Experiencing Discomfort 

  One of the most important things in my life is dance. I danced as a little girl for about 6 months. In sixth grade my mom signed me up to dance at a new studio. We had gone to 2 different studios in search of a good environment that would help me improve but with low pressure. My mom made the final decision of the studio I am at today. When I first started, I firmly believed that she had made the wrong decision. The other studio seemed more what I was looking for and some of my close friends had gone there. Now I can easily say that my mom was right. The studio I am currently in has been the absolute best thing for me. I have met my favorite people in the world there and have been coached by teachers that have helped me so much.

  Dance has given me so much. It has helped me learn to persevere through pain and to believe in myself. It has given me direction in my life and is sometimes the only thing that helps me get through the day. While the late nights at the studio and “experiencing discomfort”, as my ballet teacher would say, are extremely difficult sometimes, they are so worth it, and I feel as if they have built my character. I am who I am because of dance.

A mosaic of Me

I am a mosaic of the people I’m around and the things I do.

I believe in myself because of my brother

I know what it’s like to be truly understood because of my younger sister

I try to stay out of my comfort zone because of my mom

I have learned to make everything a game because of my older sister

I am adventurous because of my older brother

I know my priorities because of my grandparents

I go the extra mile because of my dad

I have developed a strong worth ethic because of dance

I love Taylor Swift because of my sister

I love chocolate chip cookies because of my brother

I love BYU because of my grandpa

I love thrifting because of my brother

I love the beach because of all my siblings

I love reading because of my mom

I love music because of my grandparents

I love hot tubs because of my dad

These people have made me who I am