Who I Am Hates Who I've Been

Just Another Face in the Crowd

On September 26, 2004, I went to visit my uncle in Powder Springs, Georgia. I had gotten into some trouble at home and needed a place to get away for a few weeks. As time passed, those few weeks turned into five months and my get away destination turned into the place I now call home. I never thought when I went for a visit that I would live there permanently. It never crossed my mind that moving was probably the smartest decision that I have ever made.

Before I moved to Georgia, I was perfectly content to wait tables for the rest of my life. As long as I had enough money to keep up with my cell phone bill, pay for my tanning membership each month, and buy a new pair of jeans every now and then I was happy. My childhood dreams of becoming a dancer or a doctor had somehow been pushed to the back of my mind. I was an expert at giving my parents one hundred and one logical reasons why I did not need to go to college, or get a better paying job. I lacked ambition and the desire to be anything more than the people I was around everyday. All of that changed when I moved to Georgia. Instead of being surrounded by people content with just getting by, I was surrounded by hard-

working, ambitious people. Instead of living for the moment, they work today and plan for tomorrow. Being around these people as caused me to want more from life than to just survive. I want to thrive.

I had lived in Florida ever since I was two years old. By the time I was seventeen I knew enough people to feel secure with my circle of friends. I never felt the need to reach out and make new friends. I felt safe with the group I had been with for so long, and besides, making new friends took to much effort. Moving to a completely different state completely altered my way of thinking. I was faced with a choice. I could either keep to myself and not make any friends or I could step out and be a friend to people I had never met before. I had never liked being alone so I chose to step out and the results were rewarding.

Because of the bad influences in my life, my life in Florida was falling apart. I had gotten into things, which would lead only to destruction. I made decisions without any regard for my future. I did not like the person I was becoming, but I didn't have anyone to model myself after. Where I am now, I see people who are wonderful role models