The reasons behind

I tried to think of something that was really important to me and the first thing that came to mind was family; however not in the typical sense. Recently all I have been working to do is move up in the familial hierarchy. I have been deemed the "rebellious child" for my actions in high school and even carrying over into my first semester, but my dramatic advancements since then are being ignored. I realize that there are numerous situations similar to mine where people are misjudged, not by strangers, but by family. Some examples off the top of my had would be: the "golden child", the "overbearing parent", the "push-over parent" (my personal favorite), the "inactive, knitting grandma", and of course many more. I understand how hard it is to change your mind about someone especially someone so close to you that you repeatedly see make the same actions. For research I am hoping that searching other people's blogs and using stories to reveal good examples will be adequate. 

Can the rebellious reform?

It is an understatement to say that people make mistakes. Some people are mistakes, and some may define a mistake completely different than another. In my opinion a mistake is something you learn nothing from. Everything other than that falls under life lessons. It is nearly impossible to hear someone explain why something fun is detrimental and then unquestioningly take their word for it. People test things out, there is no easier person to listen to then yourself. 

I took that to a new level for my family in high school. When my dad (a retired navy captain who is more intimidating than any Halloween costume) said absolutely not, I was only more enticed. Now, that's not to say I did any real damage. I never got involved with the law, and I never did poorly in my classes. I did however have a 'serpent's tongue' and may have tested out the backdoor for my parents a few times while they were sleeping. There have also been occasions where I may have given false information as to my location or my plans for an evening. It sounds simple and typical, but even I understand that I pushed the typical teenager boundaries. 

When I got to college for tennis it's like someone opened all the fun doors for me. I hardly noticed that classes were involved. Tennis was bearable, parties were always there, but classes, that was asking too much. I had a hard time balancing priorities. I realized that I wasn't taking advantage of the right opportunities available to me, and made my own choice to come home and reorganize myself. 

Usually a phone call home saying you will be seeing a lot more of each other renders an excited response filled with future plans. This was not the case. It was more of a "this better not be because you couldn't cut it" reaction. I deserved that. I chose to spend the summer with my grandparents in Idaho and separate myself from any temptation at home to fall into my usual routine, and realized a lot while I was there (there was little else to do). I came home with great intentions and big plans. I enrolled with 17 credits, got a full-time job, began volunteering at the clinic, and started looking into scholarships for transferring. Of course this was regarded skeptically, and I consistently heard that this was obviously a temporary phase and while it was nice, it wouldn't last. Now that I am halfway through the semester and applying to the Platoon Leadership Course with the Marines, is that still the case? I have maintained all A's and been to all of my classes, shifts, and accumulated 50 hours of community service. All I hear from my parents is: "You couldn't make your bed today?, Is it impossible to keep your car clean? Do you really have to drive so much?" and my all time favorite "Let's not exaggerate." To explain: No, I do not make my bed; my car only contains the books I use in school, because I hardly have time to come home to switch them out; I drive to all of my obligations, nothing more; the exaggeration is referring to when I say I am exhausted.

Don't get me wrong my parents are wonderful, but they are judging me from the past. I do believe that plays a part in who I am today, however are parents immune to reassessing situations? I know they are supposed to maintain an 'always right' disposition, but what about when they're not? This from the "rebellious child" who has straight As and has made curfew for 5 straight months.

Intro

Hey there, my name is Kathleen. I am currently a student at the famous nova dame while I also work, volunteer at a clinic and assistant coach a middle school volleyball team. I'm not exactly loving my situation, being that I have moved back home, but I left once, I'm sure I can do it again; hopefully this time I'll actually want to stay wherever I go to. I have a hard time choosing what to eat for breakfast so you can imagine what my life decisions are like. Anyone who can keep up with me and my thought process will infinitely impress me. I have one brother who just graduated from UVA, my mom is amazing and is a librarian for Woodbridge Middle School, and lastly my dad is a retired Navy Captain and is the best man I have ever met. I have lived in a few different sates because of my dad, and I have developed an extreme respect for the military and a desire to go in. Those are the basics; I love fun.