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When people look at me, what they don't see is a more
complex individual who has to deal with multiple conditions
such as diabetes and certain food allergies
which are actually quite tough to cope with.
But those aren't the parts that I value people seeing
in me, or I want them to know about my inner self.
I'm also a very religious individual and I was brought
up in the Muslim faith and I consider it an important
part of everything I do.
I also value what I learn.
I study science and I don't think people see this when
they look at me, but it is very important to me what I
study and I'm really interested in what goes on in
the world and I'm constantly getting into conversations
and really thinking about what goes on in the world
and I have a real passion for international development and
seeing change in the world and just by looking at me walking
down the street, it would be hard to imagine that somebody
can figure that out.
I tend to come off barely confident and sure of myself.
One or two people have told me that they feel like I'm always
holding something back.
They said that they kind of saw the confident wall of me
and then there was something else there and they couldn't
see what it was.
And what I feel that it is is a huge subconsciousness
and a tendency to be self-deprecating.
I always had a fear that if I let someone in and let someone
see everything about me, what would they think?
The biggest thing that I'd almost never tell people
is that we all play imaginary games.
But ever since I was little, I have never been satisfied
unless I create entire worlds.
I had one friend who I told this to,
and she said to me I think you have to write these down.
So I did.
And now I'm really proud that I have that ability.
I'm an immigrant and I've lived in Victoria
for a year and three quarters.
I'm also a grade 11 high school student.
Sometimes, when people see me,
they think I'm cold or unfriendly.
They think that I don't care about others.
Well, I do care about others.
But sometimes I don't know how to comfort them
when they're sad or sick.
I just don't know what to do and what I should do for them.
My friends who are international students think
I'm lucky because I live in Canada with my parents.
They think that I get to eat better food and that I'm more
cared for than they are.
All the people in my family like to eat meat,
but I hate chicken and the smell of meat.
Sometimes they try to make me eat it, but I don't like it.
People see me as being really quiet.
With my family, I talk loudly.
We can be noisy.
I'm only quiet outside of the house.
At home, I'm more comfortable to express myself
because I know they won't think badly of me.
Sometimes they even think I'm too noisy.
People only see a part of me.
The way that people see me is not always the whole story.
We are all different, when you take a closer look.