From Childhood to Adulthood timeline

Every-time I would to cry, my mother would be the one to sooth me. By doing so, she would use her carry and gently sway method. Sadly, because she carried me most of the time I heavily relied on this method. If my mother would to put me down for the slightest second, I would immediately start crying. She couldn't bare the thought of just leaving me to cry, so she also relied on her method of most of my infancy. (3.6: Caring For The Neonate: Social And Emotional Aspects Of Neonatal Care)

I was born on Oahu, HI at exactly 9:38PM, weighing 6 pounds and 10.7 ounces. My mother was admitted to the hospital after a follow-up appointment due to her blood pressure rising, and after a few hours the doctor’s decided to induce labor. However, when I was delivered it was noticed that I had a yellowish pallor, also known as jaundice, but because the doctor’s realized the jaundice was only mild; they didn’t think phototherapy was necessary. (3.3: The Neonate: The Neonate’s Health)

My parents used to play games with my toys. They would lay out a bunch of toys around me, and I would look around to choose one of these toys. These toys also varied in size, so my parents would be amused watching as I tried to pick up one of the larger toys. Another time I had a ball, and to encourage me to get this ball they would roll it to the other side of a room, and I would have to crawl to get it. (4.3: Physical Development: Motor And Sensory Development)

My parents would speak to me or mouth certain words they would want me to try and attempt, but at this time I was only able to coo and babble. It wasn't until before my first birthday I was able to say, "Mama" and "Dada." Both my parents are bilingual, but they didn’t choose to teach me much of their mother tongue, which is Ilocano. (4.6: Cognitive Development: The Beginnings Of Language)

When I first started crawling, I went crazy and went all over the house. Eventually I became more curious and started to hold onto furniture around the house to lift myself onto my feet. At first, I would use this furniture around the house to try and walk, but if I would to let go, I would instantly fall down. It wasn't until my father supported me and let go, I was able to walk to my encouraging mother across the room. (5.1: Physical Development: Growth And Change In Years 2 and 3)

My parents slowly weaned me off the diapers, and held me up over the toilet to potty train me. They would even encourage me sometimes by sitting in the bathroom with me as I sat on the toilet. Then slowly they would remove themselves from the bathroom to ensure I would become more independent and less reliant on the presence of my parents to use the restroom. (5.2: Physical Development: Socializing Physical Functions: Toilet Training And Weaning)

My first day of preschool, I cried and begged my parents not to leave. I was so shy and used to being home with my family, that I didn't know how to act around my peers. But there was this kind and warmhearted peer of mine, that came up to me with a toy and had offered to play. He seemed to be so comfortable and confident in acknowledging the peers around him, that the more time we played together his demeanor rubbed off onto me. (6.5: Cognitive Development: Early Childhood Education)

At this point, I had two siblings. My sister was born just five years before, and my brother was a newborn this year. As I was already six and the older brother, I was to be a good example for my siblings to follow. In the sense, I would listen and act with the utmost respect for my siblings to one day follow. Although my youngest sibling was only a newborn, it was important to be a model for my two-year-old sister. (6.9: Emotional And Social Development: The Child's Expanding Social World)

I wasn't the most popular kid in my 3rd grade class, and because of this I was targeted by one person in particular. I wasn't sociable and most times alone, during in which this kid would use to mentally and physically bring me down. Which is why, I would sometimes go home in tears and a wet shirt because of water that was spilt on me. In turn, creating trust issues that discouraged me even more. (7.7: Emotional and Social Development: The Social And Cultural Contexts Of Middle Childhood)

At this time, I was more open and encouraged to become involved in sports with my peers. I played for a basketball team for the year that my father was actually coaching. Other than when playing for the sport, I wasn't getting much physical activity. Basketball allowed me to not only make friends, but to also spend most of my days in active play. (7.1: Physical Development: Growth In Middle Childhood)

Around this time, I was asking for a cellphone so I could join the bandwagon. At first, my parents were hesitant because they were afraid I would be more focused on the games of my phone over my assigned homework. So, instead of getting me a fancy touchscreen phone, I was given a small phone with a keypad. That way they would be able to control my usage of my phone and prioritize school related work first. (8.7: Emotional And Social Development: The Social And Cultural Contexts Of Adolescents)

I was diagnosed with myopia at this age, so I had to get glasses. Adjusting to using the glasses was hard, but I soon got used to the idea of having them on. However, even with the glasses on I wouldn't be able to see the board so I would have to ask to be seated at a closer distance for more clarity. Which sometimes was embarrassing for me to ask. (7.1: Physical Development: Growth In Middle Childhood)

I worked at Zippy's for my first job, and as it was my first, I was nervous for the interview after I received the call. But with what I learned from school, I was able to show up well dressed and with knowledge on how to answer the questions asked. I was still nervous, but I felt accomplished because I was setting the foundation for my future jobs and potential career. In the short time I was with the company, I gained beneficial knowledge. (9.5: Cognitive Development: Education And Work)

Growing up, my family had to prioritize money to what we needed over what we wanted. As my father was the only one bringing home the money, it was hard resisting yourself from temptation. Even when I got my first job and opened my first account with a bank, I couldn't resist the temptation of spending my money on unnecessary items. I was unable to save most of my money, and as consequence my parents took away my debit card. (8.4: Cognitive Development: Education And Work)

Amongst my siblings I was the first to graduate High School, and now attending college allows me to still set that path for my siblings to further their education. As both my parents didn't get the chance to attend college, they want the best for us. However, the most challenging part of attending college is the amount of money it costs. With or without financial aid, applying for multiple scholarships was to help me prevent future debt. (9.5: Cognitive Development: Education And Work)

The day of confirming my faith was a very important day for my family and me. But growing up it was hard because most of my peers and friends were atheists, so I couldn't really talk about my religious beliefs around them without feeling judged. The environment of being in school was completely different from the feeling I would get attending a Sunday school class, I felt safer about to have beliefs and faith. (8.6: Emotional And Social Development: Cultural Beliefs: Morality and Religion)

At the time, middle school was most difficult because I had to learn how not to be so dependent on others for my success in school, and although I tried, I still struggled to achieve for the grades I wanted. So, when I entered high school, I was most scared because it was even a bigger step to my independence. But the day of graduation was my proudest because I was the first amongst my siblings to graduate high school with honors. (8.4: Cognitive Development: Education And Work)

I had a girlfriend back in the 8th grade, and if I'm being honest it was to jump on that bandwagon. I didn't truly understand what love was, but I wanted to "fit in." When I was a child, I always knew that I was different, but I just didn't know how. It wasn't until I entered college that I realized I was gay. I was confused until I met the man that changed everything, and now I'm happier than ever. (8.7: Emotional And Social Development: The Social And Cultural Contexts Of Adolescents)