The first two things I did when I was born was drink a whole bottle of milk and take a nap, a hobby I still partake in to this day. From the earliest of ages, I got used to being given exactly what I wanted. This continued on for the next ten years, as I lived the quintessential spoiled youngest child’s dream. If I wanted a video game, and I often did, it was only a matter of days until it was in my possession. It was a rare week where I did not successfully beg my mom for a beanie baby, or have something special ordered from the Lego catalog. Chores were not something I would ever familiarize myself with, and rules were simply something my parents did not think were necessary. It is impossible to say whether this environment instilled a sense of materialism in me, or vice versa, but either way one thing is certain - I love buying things.
When I was entering my teens, both of my siblings were entering college. This in conjunction with a new, rather unfortunate, sense of maturity stopped me from continuing in my ways. However, that is not to say that my longing for objects just beyond my fiscal grasp were no longer present, rather they were in as strong of numbers as ever. Only now instead of Beanie Babies, the objects are now the new cleanse Gwyneth Paltrow is doing, and still the occasional video game. This is when I began doing what I do. I studied vigorously throughout high school and have continued my efforts here at UCLA. Although some of my motivation is genuine interest in my academic field, a major reason of why I continue my efforts is wanting to have the ability to spoil myself.
I will always be thankful to my parents for giving me what I believe to be the perfect childhood--for the fond memories I will always be able to look back on, but also for a work ethic and a drive for success that has become why I do what I do.
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