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Back in 2002, my parents, Abdon and Virginia wanted a second son after having two daughters and a son in their ten years of marriage. They thought that it would be good to have two daughters and two sons. They even planned to name their baby Mike. They did not expect too much for the baby to be a boy, but it will be great if it will be a boy. However, on the 30th day of October at 9:00 AM, cries of a baby girl were heard all over the house. She’s a girl. Their fourth child is a girl. I am that girl. After knowing that I turned out to be a girl, they immediately thought of a new name for me. My mother suggested just adding an ‘e’ for it to be Mikee since she thought Mikee is a gender-neutral name. However, my father wanted a new spelling for the name but the pronunciation is still the same so he made it Myckie. And that’s how I was named and came to the world.

I was born and raised in Pitalo, San Fernando, a provincial part of Cebu. Given that I was born and eventually grew up in the province, I am not exposed to gadgets and the internet which made me devour the beautiful things you can find in the province. I have experienced so many things. Belonging to a middle-class family, I am trained to appreciate everything I have and eat whatever is served on the table. My family just lived a simple life, my father works for us and my mother stays in the house to take care of us. During weekends, we eat ice cream together or watch movies on our DVD player since Youtube or Netflix was not our thing before.

Most people dislike walking even a short distance to get water, but I used to enjoy it, especially as a child. It used to be difficult to get water installed in the houses in our neighborhood. I recall how only a few houses in our neighborhood have a water system due to the high cost of installation. So we just go to a very far water spring with a very difficult trek to get there. I never thought of it that way as a child; I think the journey there was exciting for me. I even ran through it with a group of friends. When I was in kindergarten, I always brought a small water container with me, one that was slightly smaller than my friends’ because I couldn't carry as much weight as they could because I was such a small child. We go there every day after class and then on our way home, we would pick flowers from an elderly lady's garden or the first house that we can see that has flowers in their yard. Following that, my other friends would pretend to be wedded. Someone acts as a priest, and another two people act as the bride and groom. The rest of us would cheer and stand as audiences. It became a part of my daily routine when I was a kid. Go to school at 8 am then go to the spring after. Despite our difficulties with our water supply, I can still say that the journey was worthwhile.

When I reached seven years old, I started getting interested in dancing. I find dancing a really therapeutic activity especially when people compliment me on how well I am doing. I don’t consider myself a good dancer, but when it comes to dancing, I don’t want to compete with others. I just do it because I like it and I feel good when I dance. Aside from that, I enjoy reading e - books. I remember being adamant about borrowing my sister's phone in the past because she has a lot of e-books in her keypad phone. This is due to the fact that we did not have an internet connection when I was in elementary and high school. So we have the e-books shared with us via bluetooth. It was also the beginning of my reading of my eldest sister's pocket books. Until I discovered Wattpad, an online publishing platform. It was recommended to me by a co-reader friend, so I attempted to download the app as soon as I got my first phone. And I've recently developed an interest in embroidery and bracelet making. I'm still trying to sort it out and try figuring out how to improve. Moreover, I enjoy watching Tiktok videos and movies, writing, listening to music, and watching YouTube documentaries and vlogs.

I didn't have many friends in my early adolescence. I kept my distance from people because I was afraid to show them my vulnerability. I'm so afraid of making connections that I don't always know how to respond when someone approaches me or even compliments me. Every school year, I had only a few classmates who I could call friends. I only hang out with those people and have discouraged myself from trying new things. When I was in grade nine, a group of people approached me and asked me to be a part of their friend group. I wasn't sure about the invitation at first, but I decided to give it a shot. I had no idea what those people were up to. I had no idea those people would become the highlight of my high school experience. I was able to open up to them, become at ease in their company, and create memories with them. We are still going strong in our friendship, and it is so rewarding to see each other grow. When I see them overcome their insecurities, try things they've always wanted to try, receive the love they deserv, and excel in their chosen fields, my heart flutters. It inspired me to strive for greater accomplishments. These people, along with my family, never failed to make me feel like I belonged. However, as I've gotten older, I've realized that I shouldn't limit my connections to the people I already know. I am more open to new friendships and connections these days. Welcoming people who I believe have good intentions and will assist me in growing as a person.

I completed my elementary education at Pitalo Elementary School and spent my junior and senior highschool at Naga National High School. In my Senior High School, I took up Humanities and Social Sciences as this strand offers the skillsets I need as an aspiring educator. I am currently in the first year of my Bachelor of Elementary Education program at Cebu Normal University. It's just unfortunate that I had to spend my first year of college in an online setting. Part of me wanted to experience my first commute to school and other college-related activities. If I'm being honest, I'm not very productive in an online environment. One reason is that I am constrained because I am in the comfort of my own home. Because we have children in the house, I get easily distracted. Nonetheless, despite the difficulties I encountered this school year, I am grateful that I was able to pass my subjects. It was more than I expected because I am having difficulties in adjusting to the new environment and new normal learning.

I know that I am so much more than just these struggles that’s weighing me down. I managed to become an achiever before, even if I won’t be now, I still think I still have the will to fight again. To be a more process-oriented person and continue to get better. I already faced a super typhoon, successive internet connectivity issues, family problems, and other inconveniences. I got through it all. I am a fighter, I sometimes get tired, but I always get up again to put up a new fight. I might trip seven times, but I will stand up eight times.

My desire to become a teacher, and hopefully a doctor of education, outweighs my difficulties. I can't lose because my family believes in me so much. If other people can do it, I am confident that I can as well.