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Prenatal Development & Birth
Biosocial: An embryo healthily developed inside my mother's womb, and I was born at 7 lbs. 8 oz, lengthing approximately 20 inches.
Cognitive: My mind was taking in much more feedback from the body's senses than accustomed to in the womb, but mature thinking has not yet developed.
Psychosocial: No distinct emotions have developed yet, but facial recognition has already ignited. -
The First Two Years
Biosocial: I took my first solo steps at my parents' house in Washington while pushing a PlaySkool lawnmower toy.
Cognitive: I began speaking Japanese to my family, and my vocabulary and curiosity expanded when my family moved to Japan.
Psychosocial: My mother fosters a secure attachment with me by spending as much time with me as possible going to the park, drawing, and playing with toys as well as outside. -
The Play Years: Early Childhood
Biosocial: My first day of kindergarten. I have discovered that I love drawing and coloring.
Cognitive: I am shy and didn't understand why a girl - who soon becomes my best friend - wasn't understanding me when I spoke to her on the first day of school... It turns out that I was speaking Japanese. Woops!
Psychosocial: I still spend much of my time with my mother because my friends don't live nearby. We spend time painting our nails or doing crafts together; the rest I spend alone, drawing. -
Makoto's Birthday
My little brother Makoto is born. We are now a family of five! -
The School Years: Middle Childhood
Biosocial: I have begun getting very meticulous about caring for my body. I recognize what proper and improper care looks like, and do my best to keep myself clean and healthy.
Cognitive: Having been playing the violin like my older brother, I continue to try to love to practice. Keeping up two languages is starting to be fun.
Psychosocial: My family is moving, and I fear leaving my friends but once we settle in Idaho, I meet wonderful people and I adjust very well to the new chapter in my life. -
Adolescence
Biosocial: I have now been living in Michigan since 2004. My first day of middle school was horrifying; I began puberty in 4th grade and am worried about how I like my loose jeans and T-shirts, no one else does.
Cognitive: I don't breathe when I walk through the halls, fearing everyone is talking about me. I later discover this was my own imaginary audience.
Psychosocial: A loyal friend of mine asked me to be his girlfriend today. He is handsome, smart, and patient: he has waited 4 years for me! -
16th Birthday!
I can legally drive a car on my own now. -
18th Birthday!
A legal adult... but otherwise not much more of an "adult" than yesterday! -
High School Graduation!
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Emerging Adulthood
B: With a healthy diet and a daily social run with my roommate, I feel energetic and confident like never before!
C: I have a job as a nurse at Mott's Children's Hospital waiting for me once I finish my undergraduate degree in Nursing and Japanese.
P: My boyfriend and I went our separate ways last year, but it has given me more freedom and I am ultimately glad for our split. While I can talk to him in my spare time, I am more independent than I was with him and much more focused on my own goals. -
Engagement!
After dating a few other men, and my exboyfriend having dated a few other women, we wound up with one another once again. We had talked abou marriage in high school, and in the past few months we reconnected and reestablished our relationship, vowing to do certain things different in order to not lose one another again. I missed this man, and love him most of all the men I've ever met. Thank goodness we're getting married! -
Undergraduate Graduation!
Today I graduate Summa Cum Laude from Eastern Michigan University with my Bachelor in Science - Nursing degree with their Highest Honors. What a time of my life the last four years have been!!! -
Wedding!
:) -
Graduate School Graduation!
Today, I graduate a Wolverine from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. I have now achieved the highest level of education in my family line and had the most extraordinary, exhilarating years of my life thus far! I still work at the University hospital in the pediatrics department. -
My First Child
My first child, a boy, was born today at 10:15am. :) -
Adulthood
B: Hitting 40 years today, my skin has become more rough and dry, but having avoided drinking and alcohol all my life is paying off well for my heart, thankfully.
C: I feel I have the largest vocabulary ever now; on the other hand, my spatial orientation skills have declined. Call it depth perception loss or a preoccupied mind, it's not treating me too well.
P: Working a night shift (7pm-5am) gives me time with my kids in the morning, but not at night when my husband takes care of them instead. -
Graduation Ceremonies
My last child of three is graduating today. She and her two older brothers have done well in school, athletics, and their social circles. I couldn't be more proud than I am today! -
Late Adulthood
B: I feel less noticed by my community, but walking around town and volunteering at the hospital keeps me up to date and feeling healthy!
C: Recalling names and places has become a challenge. I write everything down, but still miss a date or appointment on occasion. My internal calendar certainly isn't as sharp as it once was.
P: My husband and I have moved back to South Lyon, where we first met. Our home is away enough from town to give us a private retreat, but still near friends and familly. -
Late Adulthood, Near Death
B: Today is Thanksgiving. My husband is now helping me get around the house. I call my children and grandchildren almost every week, but rarely see them anymore.
C: I love to draw, and I draw almost every day. It keeps my mind going. Even if my body can't move much, I'd like to keep my mind and my imagination alive. It's such a precious, delightful thing. Imagination.
P: I think I will start inviting my family over more often than before. We should all have lots of fun before my time is up.
:) -
My Death
I have always wanted to die on my birthday. It wasn't for some strange reason, I just heard a story of someone who passed on their birthday when I was a wee little thing, and decided then that I would want to die on my birthday if I could. But then my boyfriend/husband said, "No, no not on your birthday! That'd be so sad for the rest of us... Your grandkids will come over, thrilled to celebrate, and then to find out that you're dead? That'd be awful..." So I decided the day after would do. -
My Death (cont.)
To celebrate, laugh, talk, eat, give hugs and kisses until my birthday, and then fall asleep smiling after a blessed time spent with my family sounded even better than that story from way back when. When the world was renewing itself all around and I was young. When time passed slowly, and tomorrow was a guarantee. Yukiko J. Roy
Nov. 22, 1993 - Nov. 23, 2083
Daughter, Sister, Mother, Wife and Friend.
Lived happily as herself because everyone else was already taken.