Summer '17: New Orleans

Hi everyone!
Even though I'm in the process of moving and am a few days away from starting school, I'm still a teenager and I like to have fun. I think it's important to make the best of these last few rays of summer sun, so I stopped in New Orleans!

New Orleans is a lot of fun with lively people and a bursting energy. It looks like an old fashion French town dressed up in Caribbean colors. There's this appreciation for individuality and creativity that I haven't seen anywhere else. There are lots of mom-and-pop shops with little to no mainstream fast food places. There are small stores that sell custom made masks and bustiers. There are legendary restaurants with delicious creole food and specialized treats. Even the living spaces are built upward in layers with different tropical plants on each floor. Everything is a piece of art and everyone here has some sort of talent. The smooth, mystical, hypnotizing vibe of  New Orleans is really something one can only truely understand through personal experience.

Sometimes the beauty of New Orleans can be so captivating, it can make all other things disappear. I had been walking up and down Bourbon Street for a long time constantly looking up at the European architecture. When I looked down, I was finally able to see the line of homeless people and their various scattered items all over the sidewalk. I could finally hear them calling out to other hypnotized tourists for help; I could finally see them creating little scams to trick visitors into giving them money. It was saddening and added one more thing to the list of things I had never seen before. Although homelessness to this extent is disheartening, I still have pride in the street performers, street merchants, and -- yes -- even the scammers of New Orleans. Instead of sitting at home doing nothing or stealing things, they work their hardest to earn cash through tips. That is so admirable and displays honor and mental strength. Even those struggling in New Orleans add to its Creole charm.

Summer '17: Moving Out

Hi everyone!
As most of you know, I'm moving to out of state university and today is the official day of the move. It's such a bittersweet moment. I feel sad because I know I won't see my friends and family for a long time. It kinda breaks my heart. I also feel happy because I know I'm going into a new chapter of my life where I will be literally unstoppable;it's the portion of my life when I fear nothing, can achieve anything, and will have everything. It's just so bittersweet.

I'm so grateful for Summer '17 and all of its experiences. I've been having so much fun spending time with my friends and loved ones that sometimes I'd forget to write about it. This summer I've graduated from high school and college, went to my future roommate's home, hosted two out of state visitors that I met in China, quickly befriended people that I've known for 2 years (but didn't know they were so amazing until these last 3 months), designed some collegiate gear, changed my hairstyle, and packed the beginnings of my new life in a few boxes. This summer came and went so quickly and fortunately I can say that I lived in every moment of it. 

To my friends and family, 

Thank you for supporting me in all my dreams and endeavors! I appreciate it more than you'll ever know. I love you all sooo much and I can't wait to come back and see you during break <3

Summer '17: Georgia (Still on My Mind)

Hi everyone!

I recently returned from a trip to Columbus, Georgia and it was something unlike anything that I've ever experienced before. The entire trip is what some might refer to as unusual, but let's be honest – I'm not your typical girl. 

The Motivation 

Why go to Georgia? I went to Georgia to watch my future roommate graduate from high school. This is an interesting situation because we just met in February at Rice University and then again in April (totaling 5 days of being in the same place together), yet here I am a couple months later spending time with her and her family in their house. 

         Getting to Know Columbus

I'm from a large city in South Florida so I'm not used to small populations, rural spaces, nor (ironically)southern hospitality. It's something different, but it's special. And once you get used to it, you can't imagine being without it. I've met a lot of people and all them were so sweet and welcoming. One of my new friends even hosted an after-hours Korean Barbecue in her parents’ restaurant. It was delicious and the way she and her family consistently served us food reminded me of how I was treated in China. Columbus has so much love to give and it will continue to show you love until your heart is full.

                    The Result

Now, I have a whole other family that lives in Georgia and I have a new found appreciation for small town living. This trip also reminded me to continue to fearlessly follow my heart. As for my future roommate, we were simply meant to be the best of friends. 

"As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was going to happen"

-Winnie the Pooh

Day 1

Friendship Time: 2 Months

Friends for 3 months (going on 4)

Summer '17: Senior Awards Night

Hi everyone!

Tonight was Senior Awards Night at my school and I'm proud to announce that I have won in the Broward County Literary Fair, been deemed the 2017 English Scholar by the English Department, and I've been awarded the Silver Knights scholarship for excellence in English and Literature. I was also awarded the National Honor Society Stole, the Silver Cord (for 250+ hours of community service), the Golden Cord (for GPA 3.75 or higher), and the Blue Cord (for graduating with an Associates of Arts degree). I was so honored to be recognized for all my scholastic achievement and community outreach. It felt so great to sit with my friends in the front row and cheer for them when their names were called. I felt so loved when various support sections of the auditorium would applaud and shout when my name was called. It was such an overwhelming energy of love and support.


I am so proud of my classmates and I’m especially proud of my friends. Two years ago, we left our homeschools to start better lives at Broward College and now we are graduating high school with AA degrees and multiple honors together. I’m glad to say I’m friends with National Merit Scholars; I’m friends with talented artists; one of my friends is low key a STEM major and a model. I even have one friend that has had perfect attendance since kindergarten! These unique characteristics, although interesting, are not why my friends are amazing. My friends are amazing because they are humble and intelligent people with genuine hearts and charming personalities. I feel so fortunate to have met and befriended all of these wonderful people and I can't wait to see how we succeed. I’m proud of my class because I know each and every one of us is ready to take on the world and achieve greatness.

Summer '17: Graduation

On May 9, 2017, I graduated with my Associates of Arts degree from Broward College. I am so proud of myself. I feel like I've actually accomplished something and there's so much more to be done. 

The graduation process itself was long and draining (between the standing in lines, signing agreements, and trying to locate my support section),  but it was so much fun. The hustle and bustle of everyone combined with this energy of school pride and achievement was addictive. The best moment was when I was walking up the stairs of the stage and I could look out into the arena and see all the people who came out to support my peers and me. There was so much love in the room and the happiness was infectious. I've never smiled as much as I did when I received by degree. 

The Countdown

Hi everyone!
As you all know, this year has been very taxing on me. Senior year is very stressful and crazy and full of fun. I've learned so much and grown as a person. As this chapter of my life draws to a close, I'm reflective and proud of myself. Let's start the countdown.

                The Countdown:

9 college applications to: Hofstra University, New York University, Fordham University, Rice University, Tulane University,Pomona College, Stanford University, Tufts University, and UChicago.

8 classes: COMPLETED 
7 months of waiting for college responses: Finally over :)

6 acceptances: Hofstra University, NYU,Fordham University, Rice University,Pomona College, and Tufts University (waitlisted by UChicago).

5 fly ins: Pomona College Fall Weekend,Tufts University Diversity Weekend,Rice University Vision Program,Pomona College Spring Weekend, and Rice University Owl Days.

4 SAT/ACT attempts: not worth it. I could've stuck with my original scores lol.
3 full rides from: Rice University, Pomona College,and Tufts University

        2 days left of "high school"

    1 big decision

And I choose..........

RICE UNIVERSITY 

🎉🎉🎉Prom 2017 🎉🎉🎉

Hi everyone!
Last night, April 22, 2017, was my prom and it was amazing. The night started off getting ready with my mom and my friend, Chandler. We went to different aesthetic locations and took pictures. I felt so glamorous wearing this long royal blue gown and having people walk around with me and take my photo. It was like an impromptu photoshoot and I'm so glad I got to share it with my friends and family.

      It was fun to get all dressed up and see my friends from school doing the same thing. It was like all these people that I see on a daily basis suddenly became royalty and I felt so fortunate to be a part of it. The first part of the night was set aside for dinner. Then, we danced and danced and danced some more. While everyone's dancing, the music suddenly goes out and its time to announce the winners of the senior superlatives. There was only one superlative that I really wanted: Most Likely to Succeed.  I'm waiting at the table with my friends for the announcers to get through all the superlatives before my category. Finally, the Most Likely to Succeed comes up and they announce the male counterpart first (this REALLY smart guy that I've literally only seen doing schoolwork) and then the emcee lingers on the female Most Likely to Succeed and she says " Our female Most Likely to Succeed is everyone's favorite...Camille P- " and I couldn't hear the rest of what she said because everyone erupted in applause. I get up to see everyone cheering for me and it is so surreal. People are standing up and giving me all this applause and attention. It made me feel so special; it reminded me that my hard work and efforts do not go unnoticed. As I stand among the other winners, one of the emcees goes "we all love Camille, don't we?" and everyone starts cheering again! The positive vibes and support everyone had for me was so mesmerizing. And that's what made prom so amazing. It wasn't the fancy lights or the loud music, it was the people I spent it with.

P.S. Camy's Corner has broken 9,000 views from viewers from 60+ countries around the world!!! Thank you so much for your support. It really added to the magic of this weekend.

Thank you for making this such an eventful senior year <3