A self reflection. Through my mirror of ASA

Below: me and some of the Girls From ASA 2009 entrance

Since my freshmen year, I have been involved in African Student Association. In the beginning, I was so afraid to go to the meetings by myself. But after a while I became comfortable with going there, and eventually talking to people. I'm the type of person that likes to be heavily involved and take part in activities; when I do something I give 100 percent. It is best for one to challenge one's self, and seeing fellow Africans doing positive works for others made me want to follow in their example. Gradually, I became more open, and eventually running for ASA board with others. The time and experience is something that I cherish with others and I wish it could last forever. I am running For ASA president, and I feel that for others to understand why, I must show them the reflection of how I see me throughout this process.

I have seen myself growing, learning and loving what I have gotten from this experience. The thirst for knowledge never stops, and ASA to me is an oasis that I cannot get away from.

My thoughts, experiences and feelings have lead me to this point right now in life; may it be fate, destiny or coincidence, I am here. The hard work that Our ASA president and Vice president have done has made me want to work harder. When assistance was needed, I wanted to be the first person there, not for any self gain, but for the better of this association. Through trails and tribulations, I have felt pride in this association that I know many members have. Being on the ASA board this semester has brought me joy like no other, it was my oasis, the pool of ASA family members surrounded me during times in need.

How would one ever want to leave this?

I hope.

I hope for so many things; The history of this word has slipped through the lips of so many others before me and this word is my best friend. The hope that I have in ASA is expanding every day, the confidence and assurance that WE can do anything... Our hard work has paid off. I am an optimistic person. I see things for how they are and the potential of what they are.

I am also my worst critic, especially when it comes to the service of others. There has been times when I have gotten out of line.

And for that I am deeply ashamed and sorry.

I examine my character in every possible angle for the family that raised me. I want them to be proud, I want to do more.

above: Monet's famous Nympheas painting. to me this is a visual of emotions.

I have grown.

For those who were there from the beginning, you may not remember the quiet girl sitting in the back corner, but slowly a community, no, a family appeared. This girl would never imagine who she would become. The changes, and constants in her is made her who she is now. Today that women looks back and can genuinely say that she is proud. Proud of what and who she has become, of the personal struggles that have happened in her life that she has persevered through. With every stumble fall and brake, she stood up.

These Emotions.

If only it were so simple to explain the emotions of a person, the reaction of every word uttered; the process that my brain goes through. Negativity hits me like a long nail in my heart. The intent of someone is clear through their facial expressions, their tone of voice and the way of talking. And when you do not see the intent, sometimes the words may hurt. We are all humans, we laugh and we cry. We become broken and we become fixed. Words have power, and with them, I am still learning how to harness the potential that I see others have managed. Some may use that power for the best, for personal gain or for the worst, I wish to use that for the betterment of ASA.

There has been frustrating moments in ASA when I felt that if I could only touch that person and they could feel the urgency of a task. With every phrase I utter, there is a lifetime of meaning behind It. Some say I am harsh, I don't listen to others, and that my personality is one that they could go without. I understand these concerns, and these are inner struggles that I am working on. Again, intentions do not go across as how they may have been planned. I do not intend to be rude.

I value honesty.

Perhaps this is where my harshness comes from. Since I was a little girl, I have watched many people become hurt time and time again because of lies. This is my truest value that I see in myself. I value 100 percent honesty No matter how harsh. To me, there are different kinds of lies. Cheating on a test, telling someone something that may not be the truth, doing something that may make others look dishonest, going around the truth, saying things or doing things that seam as though what you are doing or saying are the truth... and so on. Of course we are all humans, and all of us have messed up time and time again. But one of the things that I feel is important to the honesty process is admitting when you are wrong, made a mistake about something, or someone. I am no saint to this. Yet, I strive to achieve this, and I desperately want others to be honest with me, especially if they feel that I have wronged them.

My story.

I want others to know about me from me, whatever you might have heard may not be true. You who are reading this are getting a better insight. I believe conversation and dialog is the best way to exchange ideas, and express feelings. What one might think of me based on the judgements, comments may not be true. Neither I can fully judge someone without putting myself in their place, understanding their challenges, where they are in life, etc. However, we don't get to explain our life experience after giving a sentence. So my goal now is to utter each word with such justice, people will understand my every word, meaning, and feel the hint of why I said it, what life experiences brought me to this point.

The ASA poster for this year Africa Night. Made by our vice president

I am here for school, that is my brain, But ASA is my heart. This is something that will never leave me. I cannot choose one without the other, and I need two to function. Using the knowledge that I have acquired in school and through life, I am now able to run for president; and with your support, I know that I will fulfil the post to the best of my ability and beyond

signing off for now, kime p... until next time