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Born!
This was the day I was born. The first granddaughter and neice in the Surmay family. I was born in Westmilferd, New Jersey to my parents John and Kari Surmay and was the only child at the time.
My family tought me how to be sharing, kind, lovable child with manners, and also how to always believe in myself -
I Got a Little Sister
This marks the day I found out what love is. Being 5 years old I could already tell that she was going to be a great play date. Even if I wasn't aware of it at the time having Lily (the little sister) in my life would shape who I would grow into because I now I was a role model, had someone to protect, and had a perment best friend.
This is when I started having to be the "older sister" and my parents expected me to be the perfect one. -
First Move
The whole side of my dads family lived in New Jersey and this was the day my dad took up a higher position in his work, but was located on the other side of the county in Tucson Arizona. This move shook up the family a little and some tension grew between my dad and his family because they just couldn't understand why we would want to leave and go to a desert!
I don't remember having any close friends in New Jersey, so family was the main part of my life.
My family didn't expect much from me. -
9/11
I believe 9/11 affected everyone that year. My one Uncle worked in the twin towers, and for a while my family in AZ didn't know if he was ok or not and we couldnt telephone to NJ to find out. He ended up not having to go there for work that day This tragic event was more like a slap in the face to my whole family because we really realised how much we still love eachother even from other sides of the country.
My family didn't expect much from me here. -
Second Move
Being in fourth grade, I actually remeber this one. This tought me how to be strong. We moved away from a very loving community in Tucson and being the new kid is never easy, especially when your the new kid in Scottsdale Arizona. It seemed like everyone already had their friends and didn't want any more, but due to the lack of socialization I learned how to be very studious and became pretty intellegent. (I did end up meeting a few people...)
My family expected me to be strong and hopefull. -
Started High School
The cliques in scottsdale pretty much stayed the same, so my friend circle didn't grow too much. On the plus side though I really did continue with studying and when I started High School I was accepted into one of the most prestigious honors programs called the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. In this program I met true friends who I got along really well with. All those years of studying was worth it being in this program!
My family expected me to keep up my studing. -
My Great Grandma Died
This is the first time in my life I experienced true sadness. I don't think I actually beilieved in death untill I looked into my Great Grandma's coffen. This was also the first time I saw my dad cry (it was his Grandma). It made me realise how much one person affects a family. Later I found out that she was the one who kept all the traditions alive to. I believe it made a more humble person too.
My family expected me to be cheerish little things in life more after this. -
First Job!
My frist job tought me true responsibilty. I realised I was a people pleaser being a hostess. It wasn't really like a job to me, it was another family. The other employees and I were friends, and I was actually the baby of this family. Everyone got along and everyone liked working. It was a great environment.
My family expected me to keep up my grades, being a role model for Lily, and learn how to find my strengths and weaknessess. -
Graduated High School
This was probably one of the happiest and scariest days of my life. Life actually does exist beyond high school, and I got to start it! I got to start thinking what I actually want to do with my future and what kind of person I was. It was so exciting!
My family expected me to move forward to ASU, which was the college I choose, to continue being a role model for Lily, and to learn how to live my own life without them being right by my side. That last part turned out to be harder than expected. -
Started College at Arizona State University
Starting college was an amazing feeling. I met so many new friends almost instantly, felt like I really belonged, was never alone in a class, and even though I now live away from my family their still close enough and I'm learning how to become a teacher which is my true dream job.
My family expects me to graduate, continue to be that role model, keep up the good grades, find a job, and perfect being me