What are the ten most defining moments* of your life?

1. When my brother was born. This defined me, because I learned then that parents do play favorites. This also gave me two siblings to be responsible for in my mother's eyes, and all the more things to go wrong that I could get blamed for.

2. When I was in fourth grade and I decided that I didn't like the friends I had. They weren't nice people, so I decided to become friends with the two "out-casts" of our class. And they were some of the best friends I ever had.

3. When I was in eighth grade and my grandma died. I'd never had someone so close to me die; it was a tough time. It taught me that life goes on though.

4. When I was a freshman in high school and my best friend gave me a make-over. For the first time I began styling my hair (well) and wearing makeup. And feeling pretty.

5. When I was 17 and found out one of my best friends was gay. And I loved him anyway.

6. When I was 20 and had my first serious boyfriend. I discovered nothing compared to being in love.

7. When I was 23 and my fiancée & I broke up. I learned that I could do some really stupid things for love. And that I needed to get some self-respect and do a whole lot of soul searching.

8. After the break-up I became friends with a person who would change my life. His friendship showed me not to judge a person by what's on the outside. He taught me so much about myself and about how to just grow-up. He also gave me a friend I could trust and a shoulder I could cry on.

9. When I was working in daycare and all of those children helped me to heal. Some days we'd dance for a while, I'd be in the middle of this group of 12 kids and we’d just twirl around to the beat of the music. I never felt so loved unconditionally and I had never done such worthwhile work.

10. Last summer when I finally spoke up for myself against my boss M who had been destroying my self-confidence and self-respect for 3 years. Afterwards, I regained my self-esteem and now have a job that I can feel good about; with co-workers I enjoy being with. Some of the time!

*These are not in order of importance. They are listed in chronological order. Duh.