My parents have always tried to instill one thing into my heart: compassion. And not only did they try to instill it, but they succeeded. Compassion permeates every part of my life, from how I spend my time to my future goals. I love to volunteer, dedicating my time to groups that support people, especially people in desperate need for what should be a basic human right: fresh food and clean water. I also choose to spend my summers on mission trips, traveling the world to do what little I can to try and touch the lives of those in need. These mission trips, and the things I have seen on them, have led to a desire to do mission work for the rest of my life, specifically by becoming a dentist who lives in South America, pulling teeth and helping improve the lives of those who cannot afford dental care. In my free time, I enjoy taking care of my blossoming herb and vegetable garden. I also enjoy walking dogs, learning to throw knives and hatchets with my brother, playing spikeball, and completing puzzles with my family. I also enjoy cooking and baking. Once a week, I try and make a new bread or dish from a different country, and often end up visiting the local Asian or Hispanic market in search of ingredients I can barely pronounce. I spend many hours a week in the pool as well, whether it is with my high school team or my USA club team. I love working out and the water clears my head like nothing else can. I just realized recently myself that I am asexual, and it has been a learning curve to accept that part of myself in this sex-crazed modern community.