Required Entry #5: Gender Roles

An individual's personality is influenced by both biological and environmental factors; culture is one of the most important environmental factors that shapes a personality. This is why male and female are separated by "gender roles". Being a girl, it is expected that my personality is associated with nurturing, passivity and subordination. But then I know that my gender won't limit me from the things I can do and would do. I believe in the saying that "gender roles are a social construct. When we attempt to assign strengths and weaknesses to either gender, we literally cut our potential as the human race in half." That is why I try to be dominant and strong as much as possible in order to prove to others that gender roles doesn't control the capabilities of anyone. On the other hand, I still see to it that my movements and the way I speak is appropriate as a female so that other people (especially boys) would respect me. In my own opinion, gender roles are just secondary when it comes to shaping one's personality. Our kind of family, the people who brought us up and our surroundings while growing still have the biggest role in what and who we are today.

Required Entry #4: My Life Would Be Different Without You

The expression "No Man is an Island" is an old cliché and I think no one would not know it. Well it is true that all of us couldn't ever survive alone and I'm pretty sure that every person in the world have that special someone whom he/she could not live without or someone who could've changed their life forever... Mine is my parents. I can't even imagine my life without my mom or dad. I am very thankful for having such a lovely couple as my parents and my life would be completely different without them. They raised me to be a responsible lady and they are my inspiration on working hard and fulfilling my dreams. Everything would be different without them. Everything in my life and the ways I live. Without them, no one would be there to limit me from the things I want to do. No one would be there to scold me when I did something wrong. No one would be there to control me, I don't have to ask anyone's permission when I want to hang out and stay late with my friends. Surely, it all sounds like "freedom"... Who doesn't want any of that? But why would I choose freedom over them? Besides, I would prefer someone who helps me recognize the right things to do than to be left with my own choices and may lead me to the wrong direction. They are the Mr. Mallards in my life but unlike Mrs. Mallards, I want them to be with me forever.

Required Entry #3: Do What I Want Or Do What is Right?

I studied in a catholic school since I was in preschool until I graduated high school. For some people who doesn't know the culture in catholic schools, it is where all students aren't allowed to dye their hair, wear shorts and sleeveless, and most importantly, we are not allowed to say anything against the admins of our school even if there is really something wrong.  So basically almost all my life, I was trained to practice "discipline" (doing what needs to be done even if you don't want to do it). This was my practice since I was in preschool so it was really just normal for me following the rules of our school. It was normal until I entered senior year and have been elected as the president of our student council. Everything became different.

Teachers and admins in our school guarded all my acts and even a single mistake had been pointed out to me because I'm the president and everyone expects me to be the role model. For me, that is the "Esperanza" or the responsibility I have to take care of in my life. Good thing is I have my amazing friends who have always been with me through thick and thin. Being with them is where each one of us can act in a way we want to without anyone judging us. They keep me happy and I could always count on them every time I have a problem or even if I'm already stressed from all the things I should accomplish. Having them around gives us the comforting feeling of freedom and escape from all the social norms we have to face everyday. That makes them the "Julias" in my life.