When I was young, I thought that family just meant the people you shared blood, solely with that Interpretation would one day make me scream, "I don't love you" to my mother. When I go back to that memory, regret is all I feel. What the younger me did not understand is the challenges that my family had to face immigrating to the United States. And what sacrifices they made to give the best for me. My parents who were in their mid-30s immigrated to the US with their two children at the time were seven and three, and carried 100 dollars to their names. They worked long hours, nine to seven, seven days a week in their small business to support their family. While the seven-year-old learns English, so she was able to learn to pass her classes and fit in with the other students. And the three-year-old stays with the neighbor who was kind enough to care for her, while everyone was out trying to survive another day. Although my parents may not be the richest, fanciest, or most fortunate, what they do have is love. Love for me. Love for my sisters. And love for those around them. Growing up just like others we observe the people around us and we follow in their steps. No matter how little my parents had, they always gave back what they could. Rather it is the veteran on the corner or donating to the temple. There was never any hesitation rather they should or shouldn't. My parents believed that if you do good, good would come back to you. I hold this statement close to my heart, as I grow to learn that the world isn't as "rainbows and sunshine" as TV and movies make it to be. what I saw are people who fight every day to survive their very own challenges. And although I may not have much personally myself, kindness is what I can provide. When I can I help those who were like my family, from being able to help translate or volunteer to those who struggle in school because of some sort of barrier, financial or language. I hope that I am able to help those who were like my family in my career, as it gave me a sense of purpose and a great sense of pride knowing that my parents know that their daughter is making change within her community. With my career, I hope to be able to extend the kindness that my parents taught me, I hope to create an application that would make it easier to communicate with those in their communities since language is a factor that many immigrants struggle with, as I saw it first hand at my parent's small business. As I sit to think about what family is. The people who love you unconditionally, those people who make sacrifices to support you, the people who impacted you into the person, and the people that have been there for you through thick and thin, that is what family is.

In life, we have all struggled with finding ourselves, or even seeing where we belong. As a first-generation immigrant creates challenges that seamlessly consume me, rather it the pressure of being successful enough to care for my family to leaving the said family to be my own person. Music has always been a gateway to escape the chaos of life and growing up. Taylor Swift specifically has guided me through some of the hardest times, since I was a little girl I have always worried what life would bring me, and the challenges that I would face with it. Rather it is the monster that is hiding under my bed or the idea of not being able to make my parents proud of who I am. In those times of darkness, I remember that I will always have her music that connects to the heart. Taylor Swift's music connects to me more than anyone else due to the personalization of her music, I am able to relate to the music without having to live in her shoes. In many of her songs, you are able to make your own interpretation of the meaning. Even songs with non-complex meanings have some of the most meaningful lyrics. One of my favorite lyrics that has always stuck with me is "Just close your eyes. The sun is going down. You'll be alright" from Safe & Sound. Something about those three simple lines makes me want to breathe for a minute and let myself have a minute to myself without any chaos. Those lyrics to me are words that are sometimes needed to be heard, when in times of need. Now as a fresh graduate of high school, all the emotions are pulled back in, and it makes me feel like I am that little girl again worrying about my future, scared once again. But now I now know that I am not alone in this battle. Strolling through posts about Eras Tour and seeing what Taylor and her music have got them through, brings spirit to me to know everyone has their own battles even Ms. Taylor herself, although each battle is different, it shows that we are all humans who are each trying to live life the best we can. With this, I hope to overcome the challenges that I would soon face in college and life. But there is one thing for sure, I will not be alone in this battle. Remember that always able to go back to listen to the music that once brought me peace.