Sorry

     People often assume that happiness comes from achieving great things or making big changes. And that’s right, however I couldn’t think that I would make big changes in my life. I have always  had that spark or feeling of trying until I achieved something. Some people call it “selfishness” or being “delulu”, but for me, it’s ambition to grow personally.

      I was born in Havana, Cuba. A simple boy living a simple life, with a big family. Never imagining or thinking about the future or what I would become. Spending time with funny people, good music, good native Cuban food, and being natural to each other. However, my country was going through a period of bad economic and political conditions. That’s why my family and I had to move to the United States. However, I’ll always miss Cuba, and my town, it represents my roots. 

   I got to Florida, USA, when I turned 15 years old. And the only two things that appeared in my head was: “now, what do I have to do?” and “who will I become?”. Arriving in a new country is harsh. Facing a new language and culture is harsh. I was without guidance,  without knowing what the next steps were. With the support of my family, I started a new school in Miami. How was it? Actually, it was horrible. It just felt like Einstein’s phrase, “I only know that I know nothing”. The Science and Mathematics classes didn’t make sense. That made me mad and stressed about it. The hardest challenge was learning English. I felt like my voice was turned off, without being able to talk or understand what people were saying. That’s why I made the decision to be persistent to learn this language.  

      Suddenly, my family and I moved to Lee County. I took this as a new opportunity to develop my skills as a student and also an English speaker. Again, I was registered in a new school (Lehigh Senior High School), actually, the current school that I am. The first week, I was a little shy and confused about what I can do in it.  Nevertheless, this school was different from my  previous high school. It really gave me the chance to enhance my abilities and way of thinking. Why? Let’s dive deeper into this.

       First, as a miracle, a teacher put me in “Latinos in Action” class (LIA). I’m sure you’re wondering how special that class is. Well, LIA, basically is a class for hispanic/latino students. Making a lot of activities to have fun, and giving tools to improve our skills both academically and socially. But, more than that, this class helped me (and it is still doing it) to believe in myself and don’t be afraid of facing new things. I have to confess that, in addition to the magnificent friends that I made, my whole gratitude is for my LIA teacher, Ms. Nieves, or as I call her: “my counselor 2.0”. 

       Throughout 9 months, I learned a lot of English, and thanks to those special teachers and classmates, and also the ESOL Department, I could improve it. That gave me the opportunity to become street smart and quick on my own feet. And I think being like that is cool, because everybody will count on you to do anything. 

        At that point of my life, I started to trust in myself, and began to be more sociable, and make friends from other countries with different cultures. Now, not to mention, I’m so talkative and funny (in both languages) so much so that when people around me see me downcast, they think I’m sick or in trouble.

        Well, as far as I know, I started this essay talking about “achieving great things”. Until now, my greatest achieved goal in the academic area was that I had the chance to participate in the “Close Up” Foundation, Rally to Tally program; by the way, this honor is thank to Ms. Nieves (my teacher that I told you about before). So, what was that? Literally, that program was for presenting our proposals to a few Florida’s legislators. And was my role? Well, without being presumptuous, my role was to be the Steering Committee Chair, basically the students’ representative in front of the legislators. Maybe, this achieved goal doesn’t mean anything for you or for others, but for me, it meant a before and after in the course of my academic and social life. “Academic” because I enhanced my English speaking skills and my knowledge about politics and laws. And, “social” because I met many friends and teachers from other schools that I will never forget. It made my family proud of me, and made me feel important and how special I am.

        But, now, what about me? What about my personal life, my feelings? Well, when I arrived in this country I learned many things about myself.  I didn’t know that I am so sociable, adventurous, and while I am in this school with my really good friends, I’m still finding what kind of person I can be. And, just in case that you’re asking if I’m bookish, yes, I am. Well, sometimes, depending on how I feel, or on the moment that I am. But, yes, I like to read, investigate things, watch Netflix, and act as a Netflix actor. Sometimes, we have to forget the real life, and imagine whatever we want. I imagine myself being that future person. I imagine myself studying in a University, after joining the AirForce. And then being and working as a pilot, traveling around the world, meeting new people, speaking more languages. It may just be a dream, but it’s my dream, the goal that I’m focused on, because when there’s a will, there’s a way. 

       The thing is for succeeding in life you have to be yourself. No matter if your goals are bigger or smaller. No matter if they are difficult. No matter if they don’t make sense for others. Dream about them, live them. If your goals mean an importance to you, never give up.