Therefore, as I look at my memories of my past I realize that I choose the correct path. My parents both came to the United Sates when I was one and a half years old and moved to Redwood City where we lived for the beginning of my life. Living in those apartments made me realize that not everyone chooses the right path. Growing up on those streets was the hardest challenge I had to overcome. Watching gang members destroy and ruin their lives over some insignificant symbolic mask that they wear that gave them power and made people like me and others scared of them. Looking back into my past I remember how one of my friends decided to take the wrong path and become part of a gang. I clearly remember one day when he came up o me and he told me how happy he was with his new "familia" and days later I came to find out he was killed in a shoot out. As a result, it made me realize that I did not want that lifestyle for myself and changed my whole view on life. Like others, I witnessed many more events but choose not to go down that path and decided that I wanted to do something with my life and not end up dead like my friend. Seeing how these gangs destroy themselves over the color rag they used I knew that was not the path I wanted. Therefore, we decided to move. We came to Newark where a new life began with many more obstacles to overcome. Living in Newark has helped me realize the real true meaning of what friends can do to help you through life. Coming to Newark gave me the chance to meet my soul mates and closest friends that have both been there since seventh grade. Someone who has taught me the true definition of "Best Friends".

Attending Foothill College is a big step for me because it proves that I just don't want to be another Mexican working under the rays of the sun . I told myself that I wanted to become something of myself and do something with my life. Is like what my mother always says "take advantage of all the opportunities that life throws at you and make something of yourself." Those words I carry with me wherever I go because it feels like they've been nailed in and I can't let go of them. Words that helped me out when I was being judge and stereotyped by one of my white neighbors. My neighbor implied that just because I was Mexican and had completed high school that I would just go out and find a landscape or gardening career. Her comments made me realize that being Mexican is hard in the eyes of society but its even easier to prove society wrong. Therefore, I took her words not as an insult but as an encouragement to help me prove her and society wrong. Sure there are Mexicans out there who are gardeners, "lettuce pickers," and lawn mowers but those are just the facts and that doesn't mean all Mexican are out doing the same thing. I plan to finish school and show everyone tha

Some common words found in the essay are:
Foothill College, Coming Newark, Redwood City, Realizing I'm, United Sates, Realizing United, Self Revelation, Living Newark, Ana Castillo, society wrong, run assembly lines, pick lettuce run, mexicans gardeners, pick lettuce, succeed life, lettuce run, run assembly, prove society wrong, assembly lines, prove society, survivors , lettuce run assembly, Rio Grande, life father, barbed wire wade,
Approximate Word count = 1907
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)