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Birth
I was born to two young parents, just out of high school but not graduated. However, I'm one of the lucky ones because when I was born my entire family helped to get my parents on their feet. I have never been without food on my table or a roof over my head and I've lived a life full of unconditional love. -
Our First Home
In 2001, my parents were finally able to purchase our first home. We moved into a house in the Kenwood section of Levittown, and we've been there ever since! As is often so with a childhood home, this house has grown with me and changed over the years. Inside you can find not only the evolution of my mothers taste in decor, but also the evolution of our family and the many adventures we've experienced together. -
Tiny Terror #1
I was on a field trip to the zoo with my preschool, my aunt Katie was a chaperone. All of a sudden, we were rushing to the hospital. When we arrived, my whole family greeted me with big smiles and I was forced into a pink animated shirt proclaiming that I was a "Big Sister". I was then put in a room where my mom was on the bed and I was handed this squishy sack of human that was apparently my brother. I didn't know what that meant... but we have yet to get rid of him, so I've gotten used to it. -
Love & Marriage
My parents have really never been ones to do things the conventional way, but that worked out just fine for me because I was able to be a part of their wedding! Talk about a picture of love. For the first 6 years of my life my parents and I really grew together. Everything I know of and expect from love comes from what I've seen my whole life, and what gives a little girl more hope than having high school sweethearts as parents? (Ignoring the fact they were pregnant at 17, of course.) -
Wade Alex & Wade Ryan
On February 14th, 2010, my uncle Wade Alex died in a car accident. It was also his 21st birthday. He was driving late, a little too fast, and he went up an icy embankment and into a river. This hit my family hard. But it also led to something very wonderful. My second baby brother, Wade Ryan, was born on February 6th, 2011. He has brought so much joy to a broken family, especially my grandparents and he is definitely living up to the namesake. It's pretty crazy how similar they actually are. -
6th Grade Graduation
In the grand scheme of things, a 6th grade graduation is very minor. However, my particular 6th grade graduation was an integral part of the rest of my life. While all of my friends were preparing to go onto middle school, I was beginning my journey of online schooling. My mother has always been overprotective and was terrified to send me into the black hole of drugs, sex, and rock & roll (otherwise known as peer pressure). -
Cyber School Days
In spite of my father's fears and the lack of other prepubescent interaction, I excelled in online schooling. It turns out I'm actually pretty self disciplined or whatever. I achieved good grades and was even able to participate in a Julliard program which led me to find one of my greatest passions: performing. I was soon able to talk my mother into allowing me to tread the grounds of a public school once more and I got to participate in FDR's rendition of "The Little Mermaid". -
The Great Return
In my freshman year of high school, after "The Little Mermaid" being such a hit, I couldn't wait to get back on the stage. I found out about Truman's theatre program and begged my mom to let me audition. I ended up being casted in that fall's one act performance of "Five Kinds of Silence" and after that, I was hooked. -
I guess you knew this had to come into play at some point... L-O-V-E.
By the end of the school year, I had met a boy who was graduating that year. At first, I was indifferent towards him, but that was soon to change. My friend and I were bored and attempting to make plans when she brought him up. I wasn't too fond of the idea but invited him out anyway, he agreed and soon after I heard the bell jingle over the door. Now I'm not too naive to believe all the hype of "love at first sight", but in that moment when I first saw him the earth stood still. -
Friendships & Relationships
I could go on and on about this star-crossed lover of mine, but I'll save you the gory details. I WILL say, however, after a period of on-again-off-again we are still going strong.
But that's not what this is about. I was walking to the bus stop one morning when I met Drew. We got along great and quickly realized how much we had in common. We were instant best friends. It turned out she lived two streets down from me, crazy right? We went from strangers to being inseparable in a matter of days. -
Honk, Toot, Beep
The time has come, 16 year old Jasmine faces the road. I was actually a good driver: I learned quickly, I reacted easily, and I drove safely. I passed my driver's test on my first try and was eager to get on the road. I'm lucky to say I haven't had an accident and I've now been driving for almost two years (knock on wood!). Driving has given me a freedom I didn't know before and it has allowed me to work, go out with friends, and of course go to IHOP instead of first period (sorry, Crane). -
The Beginning of the End
Well, I'm 18 now. Getting ready to graduate and move onto bigger and better things... hopefully. A lot has changed since day one. I had to quit the theatre program because I was being bullied by the other students, all my parents and I do is fight, I was kicked out this year, and on my 18th birthday my mom sent me a really long, beautiful text about how disappointed she is in me. I'm really hoping I can start Kutztown this fall with a clean slate... I'm so ready for it all to be over.