For Reals. Finally.

      The time has arrived. I will finally have my associates' degree in 3 weeks. It is not much, especially for a straight A, top of the class, over achiever who graduated high school in 2011. But, as much as I don't believe it, it is remarkable for someone with a traumatic brain injury alone; despite the fact that mine was both a diffuse axonal injury and a subarachnoid hemorrhage; the intricate details that I received the lowest possible score on the Glasgow Coma Scale, and was on life support for 2 weeks while medical professionals asked why. It is remarkable that when all the doctors told me not to go back to school, I did; I went back to graduate with my class, still taking 3 AP classes. And I got another very invasive surgery shortly thereafter and tried to go straight to college. When that didn't quite work, I didn't give up though. I kept trying at school for years until I am at the point now where I finally have a degree. And yes, it may be a small, seemingly worthless degree, but given my history, it is a symbol of strength. It is proof that I have determination, I have drive, vigor and a love to further myself, no matter the difficulties. The social view of an associates' degree gets me down, and discouraged all too often. I need to remember everything that I've been through and the fact that I understand all of the medical terms I have described above and so many more is in fact, remarkable. The unfortunate thing is that I can't see myself in terms of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, nor can I see myself in terms of eternity, I can only see myself in terms of "lasterday" (before the accident). So I cannot see how far I've come, I cannot see how much I've grown, I still can only see how much I've lost. This is not something that I can just fix or change, this is physical damage that occurred during my injury - and neurons do not regenerate.
     After I have finished school however, then I will be going on to a completely different track. This is something I introduced a number of months back. I will finally be traveling to the Philippines. My dad and I will leave on the 3rd of May and travel for a LONG time before we finally arrive in Manilla. We will visit 3 different islands in the Philippines, but stay mainly on Negros, where my grandparents made great friends with people who give great services to other Filipinos. While on Negros, we will be staying in the city of Bacolod, visiting with Ben Candari and the Livelihood Assistance Foundation (of Philippines) as well as Ritchie Olivares with the Home of Hope (orphanage for abused, abandoned, and homeless children). This is where most of the donations will go, as Ritchie has asked for much help. However, there is still much need for donations, which could be made either directly, through gofundme (https://www.gofundme.com/myworldtoyours) or something like the following: write your testimony, draw a picture, have your kids or kids in your classes do those things, etc. Don't feel any pressure though, especially at this time of year, I of all people understand that other things take primary focus. I am so excited to serve my brothers and sisters of all ages around the globe for about 2 weeks in less than a month! My love reaches out to every nation, and I'm thrilled to see it in action!