So close...yet SO far.

            Finally, second semester of my Junior year. Last semester of my Junior year. I'll be a Senior later this year, and I must confess, the feeling is rather bittersweet. I know it's my last year, and I should be having fun, ENJOYING it and whatnot..but I'll leave that to the "normal" kids. I have so much to worry about. I'll get it together, I mean it. I'm getting what I'm shooting for!, hard work pays off no matter if you're legal or undocumented. Everyday I meet straight A undocumented student, but they're not hopeless. In fact, they know where they're going, they know their purpose. And so do I. I love this country with all my heart, and I know no other "home". I've decided that after I graduate, I want to go off and study in Europe, Legally of course. Some people may think this dream is not realistic, but it is to me, very much. I am convinced that I can achieve a lot here even with my status, but I'd be at peace the day I can be treated like everyone else, like the other kids!. I know it'll happen some day, and my moving to Europe doesn't mean I've given up hope. Traveling has been one of my life long dreams, which explains why I wanted to join the Military, of course to serve my country, but for traveling as well. This is not just and epiphany. Back to the how things are going now. Everything has been pretty great, I passed all of my classes first semester, and I already can't wait to get this one over with!. I live with the satisfaction that I can honestly say, everyday I learn something new. You can never be done with learning, life itself is a learning experience. Education is important, and I never plan on taking it for granted, and neither should you!, we all have so much potential, it's saddening to see how you quit. I myself have those moments in which I just want to leave it all..give it all away, but then I remind myself of how amazing my life would be if I keep going!. Think about it. Say this to yourself,

 THE MORE I LEARN, THE MORE I GROW. Do you want to stop growing?

Thanks for reading.

        Karen (: 

The "Akward" Moment when Someone Asks you if you're Legal..

I'm pretty sure we've all been asked if we're "from here" at least once. I know the feeling.Sometimes we care TOO much about what others will say, and that's fine..Sometimes we feel like we should lie just so we won't get the bad judgement that comes with saying the truth. I know, and I understand that it's not easy to say "I am undocumented", but trust me, it feels better once you "Come out", you learn that the ones that are your true friends, won't judge you..and they might even offer to help.People will judge no matter what, but we should all learn to to ignore it, which is also hard to do.One thing everyone should know is that, it is NOT our fault that we're in this devastating situation..remember, you CAN always make the best out of a bad situation. I've seen, and even met a lot of successful undocumented dreamACT eligible students, or graduated students, for that matter.Their stories MOTIVATE me to keep going, and fight for what I want!.Legalization will not happen overnight, it takes a lot of people to speak UP to make it happen. Do you think that if African Americans didn't go out and performed all sorts of Civil Disobedience, they would have all the rights they have today?, I don't think so , It's going to take a lot of  DREAMers to make it happen, so if you haven't come out, I highly recommend you make it known TODAY, share your story, get to people, touch hearts. You never know how BIG of an impact your story could make in this movement. We need more help, support. More spirit. Always remind yourself that theirs thousands of other people in your situation, and you're not alone, and you never will be. If you're going through a tough time, contact a DREAMact organization, they're great help and great motivators!. Never give up. DREAM BIG.

-Karen