"FACING MY REAL WORLD" (By: Creamy P. Dela Torre)

I am Creamy P. Delatorre from Caluya Antique a dreamer and believer that I can do

what my heart pumps and wants.

As a kid, I was very goal oriented. In my dreams, I desired to go to college so that I could create a better future for myself. But this dream had challenges, of its own. It was stepping into the unknown for something other than living at home with my family. Independence sounded both exhilarating and terrifying. DID I ACTUALLY THINK ABOUT BEING ABLE TO SURVIVE WITH MY FAMILY AND THEIR SUPPORT AROUND ME? I missed my family so much well just things we shared like joking at our meals and laughter. Yet, I noticed that this space was something to learn from. I needed to learn to be my best support system and get used to my new environment.

In order to beat this point, I had to see things differently. I reframed my aloneness as an opportunity to carve out my own identity. I dove into my work, reminded of what I can do and met some new friends who were feeling the same. I started by challenging myself to integrate more with the place and what surrounded me every single day. I discovered how to enjoy the little moments in life; acing a test, making new friends.

Through this journey, I learned that my goals were transforming. I hatched dreams on how not only i wanted my academic scorecard to look like but also the kind of person i visualized above it. I wanted to be strong and patient, a light for whomever might go through their own struggles like this. I began to work on my sororities, studying different subjects that intrigued me and doing things that were only virtues of mine.

As a result I realized how precious my family really were. Their love and encouragement had always been the very cornerstone of my aspirations. The distance was tough, but it also served as a constant reminder to me of what the purpose was behind why I was doing my course. Those late night calls from home, it kept me going through those tough days. I realized that this was not my journey of redemption or the story of personal success, it was also my duty to their sacrifices for me to make it here.

These experiences have since been empowering for me as I head into the future. I know that our soul and spirit grow when we are willing to step into discomfort, looking in the challenge through the eyes of strength. Attending college has made me more confident and independent, however prepared for the world can a senior in college really be.

Looking back on that journey, I am so thankful for all the setbacks and obstacles. They taught me how to be a single independent fighter going against all the problems and challengers by myself and how much my family stood behind me. Distance, I have learned is both challenging and empowering. I have clearer ambitions and I am determined not to waste this honor on behalf of myself, but also my family that believed in me all that time.

As today as I continue my time in this college journey, I hold tightly to my dreams, knowing that with a hard work and an open heart, I can overcome any challenge that comes my way

#Treat yourself as you could be, and you will become what you should be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson..