Who You Are Matters

I was born in a hospital in Suva, Fiji a couple hours after my dad had experienced the worst injury of his athletic career. I lived in Fiji for four years of my life, but from what I can remember, the sand was soft and the waters sparkled beautifully against the sun. My parents and I moved to northern California when I was four, and finally to southern California when I was ten, and thus began my fascination with the entertainment industry.

            This attraction brought on a series of videos, audio recordings, and scripts created by a ten-year-old with the dream of working in Hollywood (which are thankfully tucked away somewhere far away). Naturally, upon arriving at USC, I seized the opportunity of incorporating my passion for cinema and entertainment by adding a cinematic arts minor to my business major. I hope to head the marketing department of a film studio one day and, with time, have the opportunity to work on set as a producer as well. I hope my education and experience in these departments will allow me to achieve my dreams, travel often, and eventually retire peacefully in Greece.

            I adore both my parents, however, I am grateful I’m not completely like either of them. I like to be my own person and would frankly be annoyed by comments that would compare me to them. However, my short temper, compassion, and respect for others can be attributed to them. If anything I share more characteristics with my dad than my mom; my dad and I both enjoy going outside and exploring new places, whereas my mom is more of a homebody. Much like my dad, I also love playing sports, meeting new people, and cultivating new areas of interest (he has recently transitioned from his passion for soccer to singing). However, unlike me, neither of my parents take much of an interest in the film industry. I admit I operated under my parents’ expectations growing up, but over time, I developed my own expectations for myself and learned to incorporate the two.

Someone who serves as a model for me that lives with great passion and personal responsibility is my aunt in Canada. Alongside being a mom, she also conducts research projects on psychology and is currently working on a book; her passion for learning and ability to balance both her work life and home life inspire me.

I’ve always felt a special connection with lions (and not only because my astrological sign is a leo). Their pride, loyalty to their family and friends, determination, and courage are all qualities I’ve resonated with.

In my childhood in Fiji, I loved playing by the coconut trees in our backyard. I would try my best with my little arms to shake the tree and catch a coconut, but to no avail. On the days I’d find a coconut fallen on the ground, I’d jump for joy and ask my mom to cut it open to drink the coconut water.