Gaming has become an outlet for temporarily escaping from the real world. I have been gaming since I was a child, and have seen the industry evolve as a whole. Experiencing different gaming eras, I recently got into virtual photography which was another creative escape. It has allowed me to capture beautiful moments in gaming like “In My Abyss”. Captured on Ubisoft’s Far Cry 6, “In My Abyss'' illustrates a strong representation of my struggles and upbringing. The ocean was an important element for this photograph where the darkness and depth explain my isolation during these difficult times. Meanwhile, my personal comforts, illustrated as the mansion, cannot save me from the constant darkness. There have been many moments in my life where I had to “swim to the surface” and overcome incoming challenges. 

Enrolling into college has been a difficult journey. My world turned upside down right before attending junior college. Moving out of my childhood home within a month from external conflicts was a stressful introduction to my new life. I knew I had to adapt to my new surroundings, especially since I was a recent high school graduate and first-generation college student. Times were difficult and I soon fell into a depression. I felt like I was drowning in my own world while I had my entire family present. Seeing my family exhausted from the situation, I knew I had to keep pushing forward. I made the move to continue school and get a part-time job to help my academic and family finances. As soon as I knew it, my family and I made it through those dark times. The resilience I learned from that experience has made me a stronger and more diligent human being. I sometimes believe it was meant to happen so I can assist others and become the leader I was meant to be. 

No one ever lives a close to perfect life. You can find yourself in the deepest trenches, and expect to never get out. As I continue to fight and overcome my challenges, I believe everyone has that spark of hope in them. My experience before entering college took years to overcome, but somehow every year got better. I managed to “reach the surface” and commit to assisting others in need. Taking full ownership of my academic finances was one way of “assisting” as my family and I continue to maintain ourselves. Remember, removing yourself from the “abyss” is a rough journey, but the “surface” is an incredible sight.