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Who Am I? ( A question I ask myself each day as I looked at the mirror with crazy bed head)
Hello! My name is Janny Kim. I am 29 years old, and was born in Los Angeles California. I lived a majority of my life in Northern Virginia. My birthday is March 26th, 1993 (So I'm 28 years old).
I am currently an Elementary Education major at Old Dominion University. This is my second semester back to school, and man I feel old.
I have 2 older brothers and am the youngest of three. Before you ask... I have never craved having a younger sister. I have been always confident at a young age being an independent person that loves solitude. That being said coming from a Korean-American family with 8 people residing in your home leaves little time or peace for that.
Growing up Korean-American (Not one or the other)
Coming from two Korean parents who immigrated over from South Korea to Los Angeles in the 90's is the cards I have been dealt when it comes to my parents. Education being the forefront of why my parents wanted to immigrate to the States to begin with. Both my parents came from poor farmers and only had an Elementary education (As tuition for school starts as early as preschool $$$ my parents did not have). My oldest brother Min Ki joined the Marines, and later went to Strafford for his college degree. My second older brother William finished his school at ATI (Technical school) and now is an Inspector for an Engineering firm. The dream for them is for me to finish a 4 year college program at a state accredited college. A bragging right to prove their hardships was well worth it in their eyes.
Straight up rocking the Furby baby and umbrella (Age 7)
"Mo Money no more Problems"
Money has been the factor in every equation that hindered me in every possible way. From the time we lived in government housing for a majority of my childhood. To figuring out how to balance working 2 jobs and trying to still attend school. Money has been a constant factor that causes my parents to still worry and what caused me to second guess putting my actual desires of teaching to finding a career that makes the most money. Maybe a lawyer, maybe IT that makes the most money, right? No, I can't go to school now I need to make money for my family.... no, I can't do that I have to think about the groceries my family needs. These are the type of statements that I thought were necessary to survive.
Money has been the factor in every equation that hindered me in every possible way. From the time we lived in government housing for a majority of my childhood. To figuring out how to balance working 2 jobs and trying to still attend school. Money has been a constant factor that causes my parents to still worry and what caused me to second guess putting my actual desires of teaching to finding a career that makes the most money. Maybe a lawyer, maybe IT that makes the most money, right? No, I can't go to school now I need to make money for my family.... no, I can't do that I have to think about the groceries my family needs. These are the type of statements that I thought were necessary to survive.
"Love liberates. It doesn't just hold, that's ego. Love liberates. " -Maya Angelou
It took 1 boy who loved 1 girl to set her free from the obligations that she thought was love, but realized that it was her own ideals of her own ego that had to be broken. To truly be free, in that I was not obligated to just make money for my family, but to follow my dreams to become the teacher I always wanted to be. He is the reason why I started back in education, and loves every moment that I am in school. I wasn't the easiest person to persuade, but he would just look at me and let me know that I was made for this. To be a teacher (the pure joy I had when I worked with children).
Comments!
Janny, I think it is awesome that you are pursuing your education both for you and your family. I think you have a good foundation on the teacher you want to become and that is a great start! Good luck. - Samantha Reveche
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