I am who I am because of you.

Last Friday, I graduated from the University of Georgia. From college. This isn't supposed to be happening right now. This is only supposed to happen when I'm an adult... wait. How did I become an adult all of a sudden?! I am 21 years old. I now hold 2 bachelor's degrees. Yet with fear of the unknown sagging my brain and zapping all of the optimism of obtaining my dream job, I cannot say that I am happy that I am done with college. I cannot say that I am proud of my accomplishments thus far. I cannot even say that I am excited to start a brand new chapter in my life. All I can say is that I am completely and utterly terrified.

I am entering the work force during one of the worst economic times in American history. I have been applying to countless jobs since October, yet I have not heard back from any one of them. Not a single one. I really don't know what the future holds for me, except that reality is eagerly waiting to bitch-slap me with responsibilities that I'm too scared to handle. All my life I have been fortunate enough to have two extremely loving, supportive parents who made it their life goal to provide me the life that they could never have. Now that I am flying away from my comfortable nest that they have built for my sisters and me, I don't want to leave. Not just yet.

But I have made the decision to live in Los Angeles to pursue my dreams. During the summer of my senior year in high school, I visited California for the first time to intern for my cousin and her lingerie line. It was love at first sight; I knew from that point on that I wanted to live in California. I didn't even know what I wanted to do in California. All I knew is that I wanted to live there, and I was going to do everything in my willpower to make that happen. Well, attending the University of Georgia was free, so attending college in California was out of the question. Fast forward 3.5 years later, and I am packing my entire life and shipping it across the country. Now that it is really happening, I can't believe that my dream is coming true.

However, when I really think about it, I realize that I did not make this dream come true. In fact, I am not even fully responsible for my own destiny. Actually, it is from the support of my loved ones that I am able to do anything. It is from the late-night chats about life with my girlfriends that cemented my determination to move to California. It is from my classmates and professors that molded me into a future PR professional fully equipped with the skills I need to have a successful career. It is from my awesome cousin who is hiring me to work for her until I can bag that dream job so I am not completely hopeless and penniless. It is from my sister and brother-in-law who graciously invited me to live with them in Pasadena as I piece my life together. It is from former bosses who took a chance on me and challenged me to accomplish everything that I said I would as an intern. It is from my parents who supported me through every major change, prayed for me through every single exam, praised me for my grades, encouraged me when I felt I was going to have a mental breakdown. Throughout my 3.5 years in college, I have come to realize that support is an unspoken human necessity that never receives enough credit. It is impossible to do anything without support from loved ones. You can be the most determined person, but without external support, it is so easy to get tired, discouraged, and lonely. It is true that you should be motivated to do what YOU want to do, but having support from people makes your goals worth fighting for because you have people rooting for you. I have nothing to work for without my family and friends because each person has contributed to the person I am today. I truly am nothing without my family and friends, and I feel like the luckiest person for having such an unwavering support system. I can only hope that I am a supportive friend, cousin, sister, and daughter for my loved ones.

On January 9, I am moving on to a brand new life. Am I scared? Absolutely. But I have the support from my family and friends. With that, I know I'm not alone. And with that comfort, I know I'll be just fine.

Thank you.