Life is unpredictable, and the only certainty is that we must live authentically, without regret.
When I was 12 years old, I discovered punk rock music, and it became an anchor in my life. Not because I wanted to be a rebellious teenager or dress in over-the-top styles, but because punk rock challenged the status quo. It was a genre that rejected conformity, questioned societal norms, and encouraged individuality. It spoke to something deep within me. Looking back, I don’t know if punk influenced me completely or if I was simply destined to be different. What I do know is that, even as a preteen, I questioned the “normal” way of life. I never accepted the idea that we should follow society’s script just because that’s what’s expected. To me, nothing in life is set in stone—perfect plans can unravel in an instant. That’s why I believe in living life on your own terms, as long as you cause no harm to others.
I guess I never felt like I fit into the “norm,” but that was my normal. My family moved every three years due to my parents’ military service. Constantly uprooted, I saw different parts of the United States, experiencing firsthand how people, cultures, and ways of life varied from state to state. Moving became routine. I learned not to get too attached—to places, to people, to anything temporary. While my classmates were devastated when I had to leave, I felt indifferent. Goodbyes were just another part of life. This shaped the way I approach change and loss—I learned to let go and move forward without hesitation. It wasn’t until much later that I realized how deeply this mindset had influenced me.
Additionally, I come from a diverse background: Chinese, Filipino, Black, and white. Yet, growing up, I was most closely tied to Filipino and Black cultures. The military had its own distinct culture, too, and my childhood was a blend of these unique influences. This exposure to different perspectives didn’t just shape my identity—it fueled my fascination with people. I genuinely believe our differences make us extraordinary, and I’ve always been driven to connect with people from all walks of life. I want to understand them, hear their stories, and appreciate the beautiful diversity of human experience.
However, the greatest impact on my life wasn’t a person—it was my soul dog, Dre. I adopted him when I was 22, not realizing then that he would change everything. Until Dre, I had never experienced unconditional love, nor had I been able to give it. He healed me in ways I never imagined. Dre was my protector, my constant, my safe place—something I had never truly had before. His love was deep and unwavering, and when he literally saved my life one day, he continued to keep me going afterward. Losing him was an indescribable pain, one I still haven’t fully recovered from.
But Dre also brought me back to people. He opened doors to conversations with others—people I would have once avoided out of fear of being hurt. He taught me to trust again, slowly and cautiously. He also led me to animal welfare, a field that has brought me profound human connections, ones I never thought I’d allow myself to have. I owe everything to Dre. I will forever shout my love for him from the mountaintops because, in so many ways, he saved me.
From my multicultural upbringing to my punk rock mindset, from my transient childhood to the love of a soul dog, I’ve always lived life differently. I challenge what is “normal” because normal is an illusion. Life is unpredictable, and the only certainty is that we must live authentically, without regret. And that’s exactly what I intend to do.