When I was in second grade I was such an anxious kid. I cared so much about how others perceived me and, most notably, what they thought of my writing and my grades. My second-grade teacher would ask for volunteers to read their works out loud, but if I was not picked first I would automatically begin to compare my work to every student that stepped up to read there's. I could never get over my own insecurity to raise my hand. My teacher began to notice my growing fear and hesitation, so what he would do is instead of letting students volunteer he would just choose randomly, forcing me to step out of my comfort zone and be confident in my work and abilities. While that is now over 10 years ago, it had a lasting effect on how I view my own work. I should not compare my work to others because I am not them and they are not me; it is unique and personal. I enjoy writing poetry and am currently pursuing a Creative Writing minor in conjunction with my Anthropology major. Some of my recent fieldwork projects were in a tea shop in the West Village, and engaging with circus performers and exploring the art form through members of the community in the New York area.