I valued friendship growing up, because I never had friends. Since it was "cool" to make fun of me, being seen talking down to me was social suicide. No matter where I moved or what new school I attended, kids would quickly start making fun of me. Ultimately, I learned that I have to love myself and my worth. Maybe not everyone likes me or respects me, but as long as I love myself and respect myself, life would go on. Even though I was constantly subjected to ridicule, I never let it affect my school work. My education was very important to me, because I knew that I would have a great impact on the world if I got a good education. My family was another important value for me, because no one encouraged and supported me like my family. The most important lesson I learned over the years was that I shouldn't let anyone control my life except