Henry David Thoreau's quote relates to me in several ways. When we set goals, we anticipate the end product, such as getting into the desired school, getting the desired job, or becoming rich and successful. However, the end product is not and should not be what defines us as people. It's the experiences along the way. All the failures, successes, lessons we learn, and people we meet truly build our character. When achieving your goals, you have two choices. You can be arrogant and simply wait for the benefits of the end result, remaining the same person you are. Your other choice is to reflect on the journey and grow from your mistakes, lessons, and other experiences, becoming a better person out of it. It's all up to you. I choose the second option.

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As seen in the many images used throughout my ePortfolio, I see myself and my experiences as an ongoing process, such as the growth of a plant, which also reflects my career goal of further studying biology. While the finished product may be the most pleasing to look at, such as a beautiful rose or sunflower, the individual steps of growth are far more important and can be described in detail. The process of getting to the final product is what I am fascinated by. Just like how a plant undergoes a combination of cell growth and cell division, I too have gone through a whirlwind of experiences of both good and bad, which have strengthened my character and still push me to continue growing. And just how many plant cells become specialized through the process of differentiation, I too am discovering what my true passion and purpose are in life.

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Again, I welcome you to my ePortfolio. I hope you take the time to view the rest of the site and to learn about myself and my journey. It's not often that you get the opportunity to step into someone's shoes.