Rising Up
Jenna D
Starting from the Bottom, Rising to the Top
In the beginning of her sixth grade year, Mia had a rocky start. She had to deal with things no other person should ever have to deal with. Despite having the odds against her, she was able to rise out of them. Her strong spirit, bubbly attitude, and positive outlook helped get through those hard times and come out unscathed and with a better understanding of the world around her. This has shaped the person who she is today.
Home at Heart
Both Mia and I were born in South Korea. Along with my younger brother, South Korea has held a special place in all of our hearts.
Sister of Two
Though we are only half-related, all of us are as close as any other brother and two sisters. Mia, the young girl in the middle, holds my brother and I together.
Don't Stop
About two years ago, Mia had quit gymnastics due to certain injuries. Though it had been a major set back, she did not let it stop her. She started dance with me and now does ballet, jazz, acro dance, and contemporary.
What is a hero?
There are many different definitions that many people will have if they are asked to describe what a hero is. Some may say a fictional hero like Superman or Wonderwoman, flying through the sky and saving the day. Others will say an individual saving a child or elderly person from a burning building. My definition, though, is quite different.
Not only personal
Although Mia may be a hero I know personally, she is not the only one. There is one other person who I look up to and inspires me: Matthew Mungle. Mungle is a renounced special effects makeup designer and whose talents are incredible. Being an aspiring special effects designer myself, I find that he is one of the most inspiring makeup designers.
On the big screen
Mungle has been a makeup artist in a number of films and movies. One of these include Lee Daniel's "The Butler".
Award Winning
Along with being a renowned and very successful makeup artist, Mungle has been nominated and received countless awards for his work on films, movies, and television shows. One award that has had a great significance in his career is getting an Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling in Brahm Stoker's "Dracula".
More than movies
Along with working on the set of films and movies, Mungle has also worked on the sets of some television shows as well. This includes the set of CSI and NCIS.
More than meets the eye
Bullying effects more than twenty-five percent of children. Bullying is a type of abuse and will affect someone, whether it is the bully or the victim, in both a positive and negative way. In my interview, Mia has shared that she has previously been a victim of bullying but does not look back on it with distaste. How could someone be able to do this?
A letter from a loved one
Dear Mia,
I know that I haven't been with you for the past two years, and I miss you so much. I really do hope that you feel the same. Life gets pretty lonely up here, but I can always watch over you if I ever feel the need. Yeah, it does sound sort of creepy. Anyways, I hope life is doing you well and you have someone new to take my place. Even though I cannot be at your side, please do not fret. I still love you and miss you so much. Just know that I will always be at your side even though I cannot be physically with you.
Love,
Your cat, Indie
An animal lover
Violet
Being less than one year old, Violet was adopted by my sister and her family from PAWS. PAWS is a non-kill animal shelter and adoption center.
Mitch
My sister and I had gotten Mitch a little less than a year ago. He is a North American painted turtle was no more than three inches long when we had gotten him. Sadly, we could not provide enough care for Mitch and had to give him away to an employee at Petco.
Mei Mei (little sister)
Though Mei Mei is not one of Mia's cats, she is one of her favorites of mine. I have three cats that are all very different from each other. Mei Mei translates from mandarin as little sister. We had decided to name her that because she is the youngest of the three cats that I own.