On A Journey

My name is Brenda Leanna Perez and I was born on May 12, 1989, in Pasadena, California, at Huntington Memorial Hospital. I have brown hair and eyes. I am also the oldest of three children. I have two parents who love and care about me, as parents should for their children. I am also a Mexican-American; being one you would think that I know how to speak Spanish, but guess again, I don't. Growing up both of my parents spoke English so basically I grew up only speaking English since that was the only language that I was taught.

While attending elementary school I found it sort of funny when my friends would assume that I spoke Spanish because my last name is Perez and the color of my skin is brown. Then going off to middle school I found it strange how some people thought of me being a trader (mainly the Mexicans) because I didn't speak the language that my culture/heritage expected me to speak. But that didn't bother me because I know who I am, and I am a Mexican-American who does not speak Spanish.

Being a Mexican-American who does not speak Spanish was one of the many challenges I have faced through out my life so far. Another challenge was the relationship that I did not have with my father while growing up. Don't get me wrong, I love my father but not the choices he has made through out the life of our family. My father is a recovering drug addict. Through out my life, my father has missed birthday parties, softball games, and even my high school graduation all because of drugs. Since I was six years old, I have seen and visited him in and out of jail. I have seen certain situations that little girls should never have to see, however, I would not be the person I am today without going through these challenges.

My experiences have made me into a strong and determined person. I never give up or let anything stop me from reahing my goals of becoming a veterinarian with my own practice. So today, I am a college freshman who is almost done with her first year. I am also a person who is patient and understanding of certain things; I always give my best to do everything I do. If you ask me a question, I will try to answer and I give respect to people who show me respect.

According to the Webster's New Dictionary, "Identity" is absolute sameness; individuality. However, my definition of "Identitiy" is journey. I have gone through a lot of challenges to be who I am today, but my journey is not yet done. Like me, I am still choosing what I want my identity to be and you have to choose what you want to be your identity to be. It's your life and no one is living it except you.