If someone asked me to use two words to describe the path I have lead in my life till now, I would have to say it has been one of hardship and perseverance. I have never been naïve; I realize that growing up in this day and age is difficult for anyone. But I have never shied away from any challenge that has been put before. Rather, I welcome it; I strived to be better than I was, to understand those around me and myself. In many ways I have succeeded. I wasn’t born in Canada; rather, my parents emigrated here from Punjab, India when I was still a child. If someone were to step in my shoes they would merely have a glimpse of the culture shock I experienced when I first came here. In India I felt at home on our narrow streets roaming on bicycles and using slingshots on unsuspecting friends. Here in the wide open spaces of British Columbian society, I felt lost and alienated quite quickly. The city itself was undoubtedly beautiful to my eyes, but my heart found it difficult accepting my new surroundings