I am from a small town in a little county that really no one has heard of. I've grown up telling people that I am from a larger city that is near by just to avoid the awkward "oh yeah.." when they obviously have no idea what I am talking about. None of this really bothers me though because that little town is my home and other people's thoughts are not going to change that. I grew up in a middle class family of four with the typical stressed mom, sarcastic dad, annoying little brother, a little lap dog, all the random neighborhood cats we somehow get stuck with, and the assortment of fish we have been able to keep alive. If you have ever seen The Middle, that is my life. But all of these weird little things make me who I am today. The song Don't Forget Where you belong has words that really speak to me, especially these past couple of weeks. This song talks about always remembering where your family is. Moving from quaint Jamestown to diverse Bloomington and away from my family and abundance of pets was a bit of a shock for me. That's why this song really describes how I feel and where I am from. I will never forget where I truly belong even though the world may take me miles and miles away. I know my little hometown is always there supporting me and I will always give them credit for getting me here today.












I like to think of myself as being lighthearted. I try not to get in drama, I always try to make sure people are okay, and I love to have fun, but even with all of these traits I have fears. I am scared to be taken away from home, I am scared to lose the ones I love, I am scared I won't do something right, and I am scared of being alone. In the song "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" there are some very happy lyrics. They are mostly light hearted like I picture myself, but there are some darker undertones. For instance the second half of the first verse talks about how one day we will die but then goes on to talk about how now we are young. Even though I have these fears I still want to have fun and do what I know is the right thing. This song gives a little insight to who I am.









I value my religion and try to always live my life in the same way. Through all of my struggle I try to still live my life in the way that we are told in the Bible. This is a song that I heard during the week I spent at CIY Move this summer. It really touched my heart because it talks about standing in your faith even when there are oceans consuming you. Even though it does not always work out right, I try to always strengthen my faith. Without this hope and this passion I would have nothing in my life therefore I value it more than anything and I always try to make it the focal point of the life that I lead.