This is mama Gibbs. My mom had me at the young age of 16 and I changed her life forever. Obviously raising a child as a teenager is a constant struggle but we got through it together. This has influenced my cultural identity and shaped the way I see and define family. Because of all that we went through together our bond is stronger than anything I can explain. Because of my mom I learned humility, compassion, and hard work. This has shaped my future career path in working with children. I want to help and make a different in my surrounding communities because of all of the qualities my mom has helped me possess.
This is my grandpa Alan. He originates from the Hawaiian island of Maui. Since I am a fourth Hawaiian I have a native middle name, Mapuana, which means beautiful windblown fragrance. My mom, aunts, and cousins all have Hawaiian middle names as well. For my high school graduation we had a luau. We pretty much have a luau to celebrate any special event with the entire family. My grandpa has help shape my cultural identity from the way I eat, to the race I identify with, along with the way I celebrate important events in my life. I love my grandpa. <3
This is a picture of St. Aloysius in Spokane, WA at the Gonzaga Campus. St. Al's is a catholic church that also has a private school from pre-k to the 8th grade. My whole family is Catholic. I first went to private school for pre-k. Then I went to public school till 6th grade and went back to private school for the 7th and the 8th grade. Being Catholic and going to private school has shaped my cultural identity in many ways. Church taught me values that I still hold strong today. I hate it when people steal, I can not lie to save my life, and I believe in giving back to the community.
This is my whole world, my puppy love. She is much bigger now but I love looking at her puppy pictures, she was a little fluff ball. Having a dog in college has shaped my cultural identity for the better. She has taught me the meaning of responsibility. When she was younger... getting up in the middle of the night, taking her to the bathroom/potty training, and teaching her tricks. She can sit, play dead, roll over, stand up, and speak. Every day I take her on a walk, to the bathroom, cleanup after her, and give her love and affection. On Christmas day she had an accident and fell out of the back of my boyfriends, little brothers, truck and broke her femur. This has to be one of the hardest things I have had to overcome in my entire life. She had to have reconstructive surgery where she needed a metal place and screws. I work everyday to pay off the money that has been loaned to me. Overall she has shaped my cultural identity into being hardworking and an affectionate caregiver. I love her with all I have.
This is me at Silver Mountain. This winter I would try to go snowboarding at least once a week if not all weekend. My boyfriend is an avid snowboarder so he was my sensei, my teacher. I had always tried snowboard as a kid but I never had anyone to push me like he has. I can finally go up and down the mountain on my own which is huge progress. I like to follow the group with a GoPro and record everyone doing trick and going off jumps since I am not at that level yet. Snowboarding has influenced my cultural identity in the way of being an outlet for me. I have fallen in love with snowboarding and consider it a hobby of mine. There's nothing better than listening to your favorite music, going down the beautiful mountain, and just letting go of all the worries and stress of the world. What I love most about snowboarding is how it makes me feel so relaxed and happy.
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