Home
Back Issues
ChicaGirl Blog
About Us
CG ShopReal Girl Cover Girl Story |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by CG Girl |
| Friday, 09 October 2009 21:26 |
|
Motivational & Inspirational Story by Cyndy as CoverGirl I always had it in my head that once I graduated from high school I would join the Air Force. I was actively involved in the JROTC program at my high school. It was November of 1997 that I went through a very traumatic experience. At the time, I was living with my father and things weren't going too well. I was trying to hold on to my sanity and hope to apply to a University outside of San Antonio. I didn't have the best motivation from my father or stepmother, but as fate would have it, I moved in with my mother and stepfather. This was the beginning of a very long journey for me. I transferred to a new school and I hated it. I had no friends and I had to hang around with my older sister. I was a C average student at my previous school and I decided to do better now that I was at a new school. I had a fresh start. No one knew my past habits or family problems. I remember my sister telling me to hangout with Natalie, and I was like whatever I guess. To this day, Natalie has been my best friend through thick and thin. And then I met this guy. He was the greatest. With him all my worries went away; I was in love. I tried to focus on my studies, but as a teenager love always comes first. I spent the majority of my time daydreaming about our life together. After I graduated, I didn't join the Air Force like I had planned, but rather I moved in with my other older sister. I tried to be rebellious and stay out late with my boyfriend. That caused a huge problem between us, and one day I moved out. My boyfriend and I had moved in together against the wishes of my mother and stepfather. I felt I was an adult and was capable of making my own decisions. A year later we were married. It was a small ceremony with my brother and my husband’s best friend. I thought things were going to be great. Then reality kicked in that my mom or dad weren't there to take care of me. I had no financial help from them. Life was tough. I couldn't find a job anywhere. I applied at every single store at the mall and no one called me back. I decided the best thing to do was to go back to school. In the Fall of 2000 I applied to Palo Alto College, a community college in San Antonio. I had no idea what I wanted to do. I took random classes and fell in love with Art again. I took every drawing and painting class that was offered. I excelled in every single Art History course offered. I love art! I wasn't exactly sure how I would make money from drawing or painting. So I stayed at Palo Alto for 5 years, unsure on my future. I talked with a counselor and she told me that there was a new program at The University of Incarnate Word in Graphic Design and 3D Animation. I was ecstatic! I transferred in the Fall of 2005 to UIW in San Antonio. My freshman year was tough. I had tons of homework every night. It was constant drawing and concepting. I wasn't the best, but my professors saw the motivation that I had. I passed the freshman portfolio review and continued on with the program. Fall of 2007 I applied for an internship with ChicaGirl Magazine. I was scared, I was nervous, and I had no idea what ChicaGirl was all about. But again as fate would have it, I was hired as the graphic design intern. I was so happy. This was the beginning of my life as a designer. Working with the magazine has given me the best opportunities that I could ever think of. I was later offered a job with a design firm during the summer of 2008, and as a freelance web designer for a local networking company that expanded into web design. I recently graduated this May from University of The Incarnate Word with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and Web Design. It is a great feeling that I know I have accomplished so much in these past 10 years since graduating from high school. I didn't join the Air Force like I thought I would have, but instead found true love with my husband, myself, and my passion for design. I want ChicaGirls to know that they can accomplish so much if you just go out and do it. It may take you four years or maybe even ten years, like it took me, but in the end it will be well worth it. Girls don't give up, no matter your circumstances. You can do it! |
