I understand financial freedom as being in control as to where one’s money goes when they so please. It is about not owing anyone money and purchasing just about anything. I plan on obtaining my own financial freedom once I have paid off the entirety of my university tuition, along with the tuition of the medical school I choose to attend, and am financially stable with my profession. My heart yearns to travel the world, meet new people, try exotic foods, and breathe in the wonders of the world. I also wish to never worry about purchasing groceries, a home, a car, a phone, or to pay for a doctor’s visit.

I love the deep admiration I give to others. I seem to always love those in my life fairly quickly, and when I do, I am head over heels showcasing that wonderful love not only to the individual but to the world. I am currently in my second year of college working in the Biology Stockroom for my work-study. A few weeks in, I became friends with another Biology major who I knew was a prior classmate but had never spoken to. It did not take us very long to practically always be with one another. Talking during work manifested to always having lunch together, going out on the weekends, and spending time together at our dorms. Overall, I love the way our relationship has blossomed in a matter of weeks. Due to our friendship, we decided to be suitemates for this upcoming semester, which I am beyond excited about. I love love, and I love the way my heart yearns to give love out into the world. I love the size of my heart, because it causes the happiness of others to grow in response. One of my favorite things to do is to make others laugh with joy, because there is nothing better in this world than being happy in life.

As a vegan, I do not consume meat, dairy, eggs, honey, or animal by-products. I admire whole foods over processed due to their great benefits. I enjoy oatmeal, fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds every day, and I feel amazing. I have also made a few swaps to suit the environment better. I use reusable bags instead of single-use, plastic bags. I use reusable pads and a menstrual cup instead of disposable pads and tampons. I carry my own utensils, cloth napkins, and reusable straws to avoid single-use in public restaurants; I bring my own containers whenever I presume I will be bringing leftovers home. I bring my own reusable water bottle when I go out to avoid single-use plastic. I use toothpaste and mouthwash tablets instead of plastic ones, along with compostable floss. I unplug unused appliances, shut off the lights, and turn off the water when not in use. I purchase vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable products whenever I can, such as my deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion, moisturizer, and sunscreen. I learn more about the mistreatment of animals and the environment by viewing educational YouTube videos, the appropriate documentaries, reading books on the topics, subscribing to newsletters and companies; such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), reading and liking educational Instagram posts, and signing petitions to end the cruel acts of other humans. I do these small acts because I care about the supernatural creatures of the world and the world that we live in. I am always astounded by the heartbreaking facts I learn about every day, such as the oceans being fishless in just a few decades due to overfishing and the immense pollutants making their way into the waters.

I struggled with an eating disorder from my junior year in high school up until my sophomore year of college. A lot has certainly changed in the past three years. My bulimia has affected my health, social life, confidence, and academics. I would constantly feel fatigued, sleepy, drowsy, and terribly cold. I never wanted to talk to anyone about what was going on, nor did I feel deserving of my closest friends. I was so insecure, I would starve myself for days. However, when I did eat, I just felt even worse, so to compensate, I would resort to throwing up. Which caused me to feel even worse than before. I felt that no matter what I did, I could not fix what I was doing to myself, yet the cycle continued to the next meal. Once I hit college, it became much easier. There were several weeks in the semesters that I would challenge myself to go 72 hours without food to feel beautiful. Every time I did, I felt like I could soar, but if I stopped at day two or hours in advance, I simply punished myself even more. Due to a disrupted sleep cycle and a lack of energy, keeping up with schoolwork or having the motivation of success was never there. I had always been a well-rounded student who excelled when I put my mind to something, but my eating disorder was truly taking a toll on my body and mind. Because of my insecurities, how little I thought of myself, I had even deeper reasons to draw the blade to my pale skin. With the years of self-blame and self-torture, the one thing that gave me a sense of belonging was listening and understanding the dangers of my eating disorder. I am currently majoring in biology; therefore, I am a firm believer in science and logic over creativity and optimism. As a result, knowing I was potentially causing chronic issues or that if I continued, my hair could slip away, my skin could morph into the Sahara desert, my nails could go brittle, my menstrual cycle could pack its bags and leave, frightened me, so I would eat. Yet that feeling of fullness, staring at my stomach, it was all enough to fall through the cracks and be re-enslaved to the masterminds of my bulimia. I plan on using the experiences I have gone through to understand what it is like to play the cards of life and death with others still struggling on their own path. For instance, I noticed changes in a close friend of mine while at school. His actions and eating habits were quite similar. It took effort, but I wanted him to know I was there for him, so I confronted him about it. It turned out I was right. In the end, discussing it was a huge help, since he knew no one who understood what he was going through. I would also like to alter the stigma that merely women struggle with disordered eating, because clearly, men can, as well. In my college years, I would like to bring a bright awareness to all who cannot bear the sight of their own skin or weight. I restricted food intake. I exercised until I would pass out. I made blades dance on my skin. However, I am the one who saw a brighter future, and now, I smile and beam with joy at the thought of delicious food. I am grateful my life changed for the better, and that is all I wish for the rest of us.

I admire every book from the Splintered series by A.G. Howard. The series encompasses a descendent of Alice Pleasance Liddell from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. However, it is a twisted version with words, such as, "...a white rabbit, bony enough to be a skeleton; flowers sporting arms, legs, and mouths dripping with blood... It's the Wonderland crew after a heavy dose of radiation poisoning (59)." I have always been a fan of the young adult romance books with supernatural beings showcasing their world. I have reread the series again and again and plan on doing so again in the future. The main character, Alyssa Gardner, has two boys falling for her, Jeb and Morpheus, and together, they go on crazy adventures, where they attempt to break the curse Alice brought upon her family. Alyssa and her mother, who is locked away in an asylum, are able to hear bugs and plants talk. I love the books because of the seductiveness, supernatural powers, friendship, and gore it brings. I love the pictures Howard paints in my head and the overwhelming emotions her books gift upon me. On their journey, Alyssa unleashes her powers, sprouts wings, and defeats the curse. She also marries her boyfriend, Jeb, years later. Eventually, once he dies, she returns to Wonderland with Morpheus, the one with power and deep seduction. There, she regains her youth and becomes the rightful Queen. Alyssa and Morpheus have children and live in Wonderland forever. Overall, the books are simply beautiful, and I cannot stress enough that everyone must read the series, as well.

I published a private YouTube video: https://youtu.be/5VIthW0_uMg.

I have been passionate about animals since elementary school. However, as most parents, I was never informed of the gruesome pain animals endure every day to make it to our plates, into a lipstick, behind bars, or on the wall. About a year and a half ago, I decided to cut all animal and animal by-products out of my diet to showcase my compassion towards all life. As a vegan, I do not consume meat, dairy, eggs, honey, or animal by-products. I admire whole foods over processed due to their great benefits. I enjoy oatmeal, fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds every day, and I feel amazing. One of the best things the whole food plant-based lifestyle has done for me is significantly reducing the number of stomach aches I endure. I went from having them every few months for two to three days since elementary school to just twice for a day or two in these last 18 months. I also went from unbearable menstrual cramps where I could not work for the life of me and having to take medication to never having any pain the week of my menstrual cycle; the lengths of the cycles have also diminished from seven to nine days to merely five days. I have also made a few swaps to suit the environment better. I use reusable bags instead of single-use, plastic bags. I use reusable pads and a menstrual cup instead of disposable pads and tampons. I carry my own utensils, cloth napkins, and reusable straws to avoid single-use in public restaurants; I bring my own containers whenever I presume I will be bringing leftovers home. I bring my own reusable water bottle when I go out to avoid single-use plastic. I use toothpaste and mouthwash tablets instead of plastic ones, along with compostable floss. I unplug unused appliances, shut off the lights, and turn off the water when not in use. I purchase vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable products whenever I can, such as my deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion, moisturizer, and sunscreen. I do these small acts because I care about the supernatural creatures of the world and the world that we live in. I am always astounded by the heartbreaking facts I learn about every day, such as the oceans being fishless in just a few decades due to overfishing and the immense pollutants making their way into the waters. I learn more about the mistreatment of animals and the environment by viewing educational YouTube videos, the appropriate documentaries, reading books on the topics, subscribing to newsletters and companies; such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), reading and liking educational Instagram posts, and signing petitions to end the cruel acts of other humans. Since I still live under my mother’s financial aid, I have not made every switch that I so wish. However, I enjoy informing my family and relatives of what they can also do to assist the environment. Once I begin living by my own paychecks, I also plan on purchasing and making my own sustainable laundry, kitchen, and cleaning products. I fear the world’s life, that it will not make it at the rate humans are harming it. However, I am hopeful that there are more people out there like me who care for its life in the same manner that I do. I hope people begin to care about the billions and billions of animal lives lost a year because of us and the little time earth has left if we do not begin to make more changes. I yearn that the community, the country, and the world will make the appropriate changes.

“Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be,” by Sonia Ricotti. Ricotti’s words made it as my senior quote, for how deep and personal I take it to be. One of my greatest issues is becoming, too, attached to someone. I love people, and I love showing it. However, friendships end and people drift apart. I have lost several close friends in the past, and those experiences always tore me apart and made me feel unworthy of anyone. My greatest loss was losing my ex-boyfriend. I know young love may be deemed as silly or that teenagers know nothing of tangible love. However, I felt like I could fly with that one special boy. After our drifting, I thought the world would end, and I would gradually fall apart. Once I found this quote, things changed. I knew I had to accept what had happened, simply let it go, and know my future was still bright. Three years have passed since my ex-boyfriend broke up with me, yet I still remind myself of these words. The quote is also meaningful, because it applies in different instances. I also take it as everything occurring for one reason or another. For instance, coming to terms with the death of a family member and being faithful in the outcomes of the future. My life is not perfect, no one’s is, but I decide to keep my head held high and be grateful for everything that I have.

I have been passionate about animals since elementary school. However, as most parents, I was never informed of the gruesome pain animals endure every day to make it to our plates, into a lipstick, behind bars, or on the wall. About a year and a half ago, I decided to cut all animal and animal by-products out of my diet to showcase my compassion towards all life. As a vegan, I do not consume meat, dairy, eggs, honey, or animal by-products. I admire whole foods over processed due to their great benefits. I enjoy oatmeal, fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds every day, and I feel amazing. One of the best things the whole food plant-based lifestyle has done for me is significantly reducing the number of stomach aches I endure. I went from having them every few months for two to three days since elementary school to just twice for a day or two in these last 18 months. I also went from unbearable menstrual cramps where I could not work for the life of me and having to take medication to never having any pain the week of my menstrual cycle; the lengths of the cycles have also diminished from seven to nine days to merely five days. I have also made a few swaps to suit the environment better. I use reusable bags instead of single-use, plastic bags. I use reusable pads and a menstrual cup instead of disposable pads and tampons. I carry my own utensils, cloth napkins, and reusable straws to avoid single-use in public restaurants; I bring my own containers whenever I presume I will be bringing leftovers home. I bring my own reusable water bottle when I go out to avoid single-use plastic. I use toothpaste and mouthwash tablets instead of plastic ones, along with compostable floss. I unplug unused appliances, shut off the lights, and turn off the water when not in use. I purchase vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable products whenever I can, such as my deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion, moisturizer, and sunscreen. I do these small acts because I care about the supernatural creatures of the world and the world that we live in. I am always astounded by the heartbreaking facts I learn about every day, such as the oceans being fishless in just a few decades due to overfishing and the immense pollutants making their way into the waters. I learn more about the mistreatment of animals and the environment by viewing educational YouTube videos, the appropriate documentaries, reading books on the topics, subscribing to newsletters and companies; such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), reading and liking educational Instagram posts, and signing petitions to end the cruel acts of other humans. Since I still live under my mother’s financial aid, I have not made every switch that I so wish. However, I enjoy informing my family and relatives of what they can also do to assist the environment. Once I begin living by my own paychecks, I also plan on purchasing and making my own sustainable laundry, kitchen, and cleaning products. I fear the world’s life, that it will not make it at the rate humans are harming it. However, I am hopeful that there are more people out there like me who care for its life in the same manner that I do. I hope people begin to care about the billions and billions of animal lives lost a year because of us and the little time earth has left if we do not begin to make more changes.