As a kid, I always thought that I would someday be a doctor or maybe an astronaut.

Growing
up, I had so many ambitions, all of which were careers that I hoped to have eventually. I always
knew to myself that I would be a very successful woman. If I were to describe myself when I was a
kid, I would say that I was pretty observant and I have my own principles. At a very young age, I
always knew how people underestimate the skills and knowledge a woman can have, and as a kid, I
hoped that someday, I would prove them wrong. I want to prove someday that woman can be
strong like a man is.

But things changed. I grew up, I experienced how hard life really is, that no matter how hard
you work, rich people still have more privilege, and equality doesn’t really exist in reality. As things
around me changed, my mindset also changed, a lot. How I wish that I still have my own principles
and beliefs that I used to have when I was younger. How I wish that I could still fulfil my dreams as a
kid. Because right now, I don’t know which road I am taking. It feels like I am lost and I am just
walking endlessly, not knowing the destination. I used to love studying and enjoy learning, and how I
wish that I still do. I used to love reading, because I do it so passionately before, but now, I feel like I
am just forcing myself to read. I really have no idea.

Me ten years ago and me right now are like two different people, and if someone were to
ask me how I see myself in ten years, I really have no idea. The clock is so slow but yet so fast, time
flies and we don’t even notice it. But I do wish that the 26-year-old me is finally free, free from all
the things that her family deprives her of. I hope that she is happy and financially stable, that she is
finally confident and has already accepted herself along with her flaws and imperfections. I hope
that she graduated and made her family proud and found the perfect job that she is very happy to
have. And lastly, I hope that she heals from all of the traumas she had when she was a kid. I want to
say to myself 10 years from now that I love and appreciate her. She did a great job and her 16-year-
old self is very proud of her.