ABOUT ME | Hopeforpeace

ABOUT ME

The Realization of my Passion

It is this genuine bliss and belief in magic that I miss feeling as I have grown older. When I began to babysit as a teenager, I found myself absolutely loving the time with the children I sat for, most often my neighbors. They would speak eagerly of what they desired from Santa or wiggle their loose teeth until they bled in anticipation of the Tooth Fairy. These moments brought me closer to realizing my true passion.

This past summer, I had the opportunity to partake in quite possibly my most rewarding job to date. I worked as a camp counselor at South Mountain YMCA, an overnight and day camp located in Wernersville, PA. More than half of my co-workers were international, and I instantly became close with these amazing people from all over the world, including Ireland, Scotland, England, and Australia. Campers stayed with us in groups from China and Spain, among other countries. Besides the international aspect, my daily life at camp made me the happiest I had been in awhile. Whether I was teaching a swimming stroke or helping a homesick camper write a letter to his parents, working with these children was rewarding in every aspect. Nothing felt more fulfilling than making the campers' days the best they could be. Moreover, I feel as though this job has helped to prepare me for anything that I may be faced with in the future such as being a parent, working with people, and thinking on the spot in difficult situations.

It is after this summer that I realized where my passion and goals in life lie: to work with children and to see the world. I have visited Japan, London, parts of Canada, and various areas of the United States (indicated on the map below.) My dream is to travel around the world and interact with all different types of people, including and especially children generating positive discussion through my communication skills. I hope to add many more dots to this map. Through my undergraduate studies, I seek a specific career that will go along with these interests. Though I am currently in this exploration process, I am confident that something will come because I have found my passion. I am truly thankful to have found this.

Early Influences: Parents and Disney

I was born in Tokyo, Japan to a Japanese mother and American father. I became exposed to two languages and cultures simultaneously. From the start, my parents emphasized kindness to others and open-mindedness concerning my surroundings. Memories of my wonderful childhood include visiting my father who was a story writer at the BBC headquarters in Tokyo, singing songs with my lovely mother, and annual trips to Tokyo Disneyland. Disney is certainly not unique to my childhood, especially for people within my generation. We have all had a favorite character. Most of us girls have dreamed of one day becoming a Disney princess.

In the spring of 2010, I was a Junior at Strath Haven High School right outside of Philadelphia, PA (we moved to that area when I was six years old.) It is then that I visited Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida for the first time on a marching band trip. As soon as I stepped foot there, I was instantly calmed and nostalgia struck me. As a younger child, the thrill of visiting Disney seemed to stem from meeting the characters who came to life and going on the Dumbo ride multiple times. This time, however, a part of Disney I had never seen immediately impacted me: Epcot. Here, one can literally take a "walk around the world." Showcased at this Disney park are various pavilions of countries that have specific restaurants, stores, music, and other cultural aspects to make one truly feel as if he were visiting that country. I felt proud when I visited "Japan" and "The United States." I was amazed by the authenticity and here began my deep desire to travel to every country in the world. I was overcome with raw emotion.