January 6, 2005 - page 2

Whether it's going to church, shopping at Walmart, or going
to class, I see myself as an individual who is surrounded by
a certain set of customs. I’m not a slave to those customs;
I choose to take or leave them. This in itself is empowering, and I enjoy having that kind of perspective.

I’m thankful to be back in the familiar places and around the familiar people who have formed me as a person. But it feels good to know that, as I am about to leave many of those things, my personality and mentality are still malleable. I will continue to be shaped by people and experiences my whole life. Living and studying abroad was definitely one of those experiences that made me look backwards and forwards with a critical eye, altering my perceptions and dreams.