Journal 12

 If my life were a movie, it would be a story of how a young woman is discovering herself and who she wants to be. it would open with a scene describing her struggles, such as her sitting at her computer desk at five minutes from midnight, finishing the last of her homework on a Sunday night. It would also reveal other main characters who play a large role in her life such as her brothers, and her parents, although they are having issues and are planning on splitting up. In the midst of the chaos of her life, the viewer would soon realize that she has lost herself in trying to please those around her. She stays home on the weekends to do schoolwork, because she wants to to get into medical school one day, or, atleast her parents want her to. The only break she takes is to go for a run, in hopes of one day gaining the slim figure that all of her friends have. She changes into sweats, put on her brand new Nike running shoes, a gift from Dad, and with a well-deserved twenty minutes to herself, she is out the door.

Journal 15

            I believe that being a positive representation of the female black community is perhaps the most unique and significant quality that I can offer to a college campus. Being a black American, I am a victim of multiple stereotypes, and believe that I am a positive influence to not only black women everywhere, but also to those outside the black community. I also represent the Latin community because I am half Mexican. These are two minorities that I feel passionate about and motivate me to be successful.

            Having a positive black presence on campus is something few can offer, particularly a black female, and no college applicant who had a higher high school grade point average than me or twice as many community service hours can take my unique race away from me.

            I am a strong, young biracial woman, who feels that I have something to offer that many people cannot measure up to.

Journal 3

     One of the most important things that I have learned from school is how to make a difference in my community, as well as being a sufficient planner and leader. I have done so by completing Community, Action, and Service (CAS) hours for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, which are required to obtain an IB Diploma. Within the 150 required hours, one has to fulfill the eight learning outcomes (planning, being a leader, international issues, etc).

    Knowing how to be a successful and amiable leader is a quality that I value highly, and being in the IB program has helped me tremendously. I feel more comfortable setting a good example for others and being able to take charge. This is a quality that I have integrated into my nonacademic life as well, such as on my volleyball team and in my church.

    Completing CAS hours has also gotten me more involved in making a difference in my community. Within our own high school, the IB students have started the Biodiesel and Algae Studies Group (BASG) and are working with the head of Chemistry  at UCSD to make diesel engine fuel that is 100% biodegradable. Fossil fuels are an issue of global importance, and we are making a difference starting in our own school.

Journal 10

    I am a very indecisive person. I try to avoid making decisions at all costs, and when it becomes inevitable, I have a very hard time making decisions because I‘m afraid of making a bad one. Even from the time when I was just a little girl, my father used to always tell me, “You get two points for making a good decision, one point for making a bad decision, and a point taken off  for deciding once it’s too late.” This is probably  the best advice I have ever received, because my father taught me that you can’t just sit around and let life take its toll on you; you have to do something about it. He was teaching me that if I didn’t learn how to make decisions, regardless of the outcome, I wasn’t going to get anywhere in life. Him sharing this piece of advice with me allowed me to look past my fear of a situation resulting badly and not be afraid to make mistakes, but to make them and learn from them.

    Teaching me to never fear major decisions has influenced my character significantly. I used to be very shy and submissive to others, but now I like being a leader. I no longer fear making decisions, because I no longer fear making mistakes. I learn from the mistakes that I do make, and try not to make the same one twice. My dad really matured me as person with this piece of advice and helped change me for the better.

    There are times when I still feel anxiety when I have to think about major decisions I will make in my life, such as which university I am going to attend, but then again, who doesn’t? The only difference is that now I am not afraid to take the time and really think about what it is that I want.

Journal 9

    I would make September 11 a national holiday, in order to commemorate those who died in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. These terrorist attacks were probably the most significant event of the 21st century. I was only in first grade at the time, but I couldn’t help sense the devastation and fear that the entire nation faced.

     Many lives were taken during that dreadful event, and I believe that we should take a day each year to commemorate those who passed. My holiday wouldn’t just be a day to re-experience the trauma that I’m sure many people went through, but would mainly be a day to recapture the unity that the citizens of America felt. Nothing brings people closer together than common hardship, and I think that many people have the misconception that nothing good whatsoever came out of 9-11. The unified connection that many felt throughout the nation was a beautiful thing. It is sad to say that we only come together as a nation in times of tragedy, and my holiday would be an attempt to recreate that unity even in a time of peace, making it a national day of service.

    Everyone would have to perform some service that would contribute to the greater good of community, society, or humanity. The last thing I would want for this holiday is for it to become just another day off of school and work. It would be a day to articulate that we as citizens of the same country can always feel united for the same cause, not just during hardship.

Journal 8

"Being stubborn has helped, being selfish is not a bad thing." -Herbie Mann

       This quote describes me perfectly; I am very intent on my ways, and I know my worth. Others often characterize me as stubborn, but I like to think that I just if I don't trust my own ways of thinking, then who can I trust? I am one of those people who thinks that if it wasn't my idea, then it is absurd. I can be selfish at times, but as Herbie Mann says, I don't think it's a bad thing. I work hard and like to earn the things I have, material or mental, so I don't share all that easily.

Journal 13

  

Dear Roomie,

    My name is Olivia Christine Moore, and I am very excited to get to know you over the course of the next year.
    I am from El Centro, California, a small farming town in the desert about 120 miles east of San Diego, California. There I graduated from Imperial High School, where I played volleyball, basketball, and threw shot-put. I was very active in high school, and hope to continue to be in college. I have two brothers, Nicholas and Myles, and a huge extended family. My parents are both the youngest of eight children. My dad is African-American and my mom is Mexican-American. Having such a large family makes me very family-oriented. Some of my best memories are family vacations in Rosarito, Mexico as well as holiday gatherings.

    When I’m not studying I enjoy shopping, especially online, and reading in my spare time. Some of my favorite authors are Maya Angelou, Nicholas Sparks, and Laurie Halse Anderson. I’m also a big fan of the Harry Potter series, both the books and the movies.

    Others would characterize me as dramatic, talkative, and easy-going; I also love to meet new people, so I hope we can get to know each other and become good friends. 

                            Sincerely,

                            Olivia Moore