“A dream is a wish your heart makes when you’re fast asleep” as Walt Disney would put it; for some it’s something more. All my life I’ve dreamt of something, if it wasn’t one thing it was another; but as soon as they got shot down in some way I’d give up and never look back.

Growing up, I have fallen in and out of love with New York; a while ago I was looking at student housing in New York, I was excited, but when I saw the price, I gave up then and there. At that point I didn’t know what to do, I felt sad and helpless; then I read a book by Marjorie Hart called Summer at Tiffany and the fire that once burned so bright for New York was now burning ten times more. So I didn’t give up, and now I’m moving to New York this coming January with my sister-in-law. See, much like Walt Disney, people told me I couldn’t do it, that it was too expensive out there and I couldn’t afford it, some fund raisers and a job away, and I’m there.

New York isn’t my only dream, that’s only step one. I’ve created this plan and it’s been thought up since the ending of my freshman year. I plan to go to community college in New York, while I’m in community, college save money, once I transfer to a university, put that money in a bank CD. I want to major in English Literature or creative writing, and History to be a teacher; after university I want to join the Peace Corps, another big dream of mine.

I’ve always wanted to help people in some way, I’ve always wanted to put myself in others shoes, but it was always hard for me just to imagine it, I feel like the Peace Corps will help me do that, and in the process I’ll be helping others. I’ve always wanted to travel as well, to places not like the United States. 

During all this my little brother will be going to business school while my little sister is going to culinary arts school; once I return from the Peace Corps, I will take the money they give you for volunteering and open a store with my little brother; then own franchises with both my little brother and sister, then open a restaurant with my little sister. In time I want to open a Museum of the history of style, sing, and dance.

The store is going to sell hand painted shirts made by me, vintage stuff, canvas art, skate boarding stuff, vinyl records, and other stuff. The restaurant is going to be a big band and swing restaurant; and if none of this is successful I can be a teacher, plus writing and publishing on the side.

I know all these things sound like a bit much, but that’s my dream. I don’t want to work for anyone, I want to be my own boss; I’ve combined everything I love and fit it into one life time. I aim for the moon, because even if I fall I’ll land on a star. 

Much like Walt Disney, people have told me how impossible it all is; even a fellow counselor said to me, “Maybe you should look for more realistic dreams.” but just like she’s told me that, many other have said, “That sounds perfect.” or, “You thought of everything; it’s going to work out.” 

At one point, even with the positive feedback, I doubted myself; I doubted my ability to do all these things without completely breaking down due to stress. 

Then I did the homework, read about Disney and Spielberg, and it motivated me all the more. People told Walt he was crazy for making a full-length animated movie in color, he did it and it got a standing ovation; everything he ever did, someone always told him it was impossible, and now his name represents possible. 

I’m sure just as they told Disney he couldn’t accomplish a lot of things, they told Spielberg they same, and where is he now? His movies are forever in our hearts, even if we haven’t watched it, we know what E.T. is and what the movie stands for; that’s there impact, mine, though smaller, will live on as well. I will be known as the girl who followed her dreams through and never gave up, much like Disney and Spielberg. 

Seeing others working dead-end jobs and how unhappy they all are, as sad as it may be for them, it motivates me all the more. I don’t want to work somewhere I don’t want to be, I don’t want to do something I don’t love because it makes a lot of money, I want to do what makes me happy; and if what makes me happy will make me successful, then good; and I think I’ve found that. Disney has showed me to have confidence in myself no matter what, Spielberg has taught me never to give up, to keep fighting for that “Academy Award” or that “Oscar”, and I won’t.