Who Am I?

I like to sit back and read an interesting book, going out for a light jog around town, watching “Family Guy,” and sleeping half the day away.  I’ve never really enjoyed watching sports, competitive running, or essay writing.  I highly value discipline, good ethics, hard work, loyalty, and kindness.  For most of my young life I have worked and worked.  I buy all the things I want and need, excluding food and shelter, with my own money.  I am pro-death penalty, pro-choice, a believer in being self sufficient, and an atheist.

My family has played a big part in shaping me into the person I am today.  My father helped me greatly by drastically increasing my discipline, time management, strength, and work ethics.  He was in the Marine Corps for a little over twenty years so that explains pretty well his extremism on these traits.  His theory on being on time is being fifteen minutes early, any later and you’re late.  My dad’s strength amazes me to this day.  He works out often, and even though he’s fifty-five he still made it on the T.R.T (Tactical Response Team), which is like S.W.A.T.  My dad hardly ever misses work but when he does his co workers always joke about how he must be dead because he never misses it or is late.  Because of him and my mom I started working when I was young and quickly realized the value of a dollar.  Due to a mixture of his strictness and him being a police officer is one of the main reasons I haven’t really “acted out” nor done something “stupid” like many of my peers have.  My mother and brother, Matt, helped me “lighten up” by always encouraging me to be more social and friendly.  Because of their persistence I have gained many new friends and have a better impression on others.  Chris, my oldest brother, encouraged me to think more logically and view arguments from both sides.  He also heavily pushed physical fitness.  He was the one that really got me into working out.  When we work out he shows me new exercises to do and explains what muscles they target.  Before he decided to join the Marine Corps he was thinking about being a physical trainer.

Nebraska and Aurora, as much as I hate to admit it, has also has a great influence on me.  With both of my parents and many other Nebraskans being conservatives I too have become quite a conservative.  I enjoy going out into the country and seeing for miles.  Like many other Nebraskans, I like to hunt and cheer on the Huskers.  My brother, Matt, and his friend, Anthony, are some of the most hard core Husker fans I know.  Every so often I go over to their place to watch the game.  Whenever a play or call goes against Nebraska you’d swear there was a fight going on if you were in the other room.  However, when we pull off a touchdown or a really good play the house starts to shake with those idiots jumping around and cheering.  Growing up in this small town has affected the way I interact with strangers.  I am genuinely friendly with them and hold the door for people.  When I do this in larger cities I am always surprised by just how appreciative people are of what we consider simple manners.

Throughout most of my elementary life I was pretty care free and clueless.  I never really thought about the next day and did nothing but play and have fun.  It wasn’t really until middle school that I really started to take shape and become my own person.  It was, at this time, that I had lost many of my friends and had plenty of time to think.  I went over what had caused me to lose my friends and observed how others treated each other and realized how to properly treat others.  I now know how to properly treat others and I can honestly say I don’t have any enemies in school.

Within high school I began to truly unfold.  I started forming my own, elaborate opinions and started seeing arguments from both sides.  I found my calling, protecting people by joining the Marine Corps.  I began to study what I enjoy and argue philosophy.  I became more disciplined, opinionated, and self sufficient.

Every day I discover more of myself; however, I truly haven’t fully discovered who I am.  I hope once I get out on my own I will begin to unfold myself even more.  I believe we truly discover who we are once we’re out of the house.