Sources of My Identity

Many things make up a person and they are different for each individual.  There are many things that define who I am, but three sources of my identity are my adoption, my friends, and traveling.

When I was only 10 months old, my father traveled halfway across the world to adopt me from an orphanage through an adoption agency, then known as Mother's Love.  He came with my uncle, who also adopted my cousin at the same time.  Although I do not remember a single moment of this experience, I know that it has completely changed my life.  I was brought into a good home with a crazy, but extremely loving family.  My aunt and uncle later went on to adopt three more girls from China, one of which I am especially close to; she even believes that we may be sisters.  My adoption has changed my life forever, teaching me that family is one of the most important things in life.  My family brought me into a positive situation and I know that they will always be here for me.

My friends are also a main source of my identity.  After leaving public school after nine years, I lost touch with many of my friends, but still am close to a few.  However, transitioning into high school, I made numerous new friends, who welcomed me into the Mount community and their lives.  All of my friends, new and old, have completely affected my life.  They have taught me to take risks and leave my comfort zone.  I know that, like my family, my friends will always support me and entertain me.
Lastly, traveling with my friends and family all around the world has taught me to appreciate experiencing new cultures.  It has broadened my perspectives to new and exciting things and there is nothing that I would rather do than get on a plane and fly somewhere new.  I love being able to explore new places and see how similar or different it is to where I live.  For me, traveling allows me to relax and spend time with whoever I am with.  I travel so often, to either places I've been multiple times or new places, that it has become a part of who I am, a source of my identity.