Hello, my name is Virginia Li, and I am a sophomore at Baruch College majoring in marketing. You guys can call me Virginia and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I was born and raised in New York. I enjoy drawing, painting, and watching movies in my free time. I also like long walks and hanging out with my friends and family. Something that I’ve been into these days is journaling. I feel that journaling helps me organize my thoughts and feelings. A text that made a lasting impression on me was a book called Mostly Monty by Johanna Hurwitz. Whenever I think about a childhood book that changed my life, I always pick that book. Before I read this book in elementary school, I tried so hard to fit in with others, but I never really could get along because I was very quiet. I didn’t know how to spark up a conversation with my classmates because I didn’t have a pet, I never watched a movie they talked about, or I didn’t understand their conversation. It all changed when I read the book. I felt I was very similar to Monty in the book, trying to find a way to make more friends. When I finished reading the book, I learned that I needed courage like Monty to talk to my classmates. I may not have had the same toys as my classmates, or I couldn’t experience the same things as them, but I should just accept who I am, and that shouldn’t stop me from talking to them. Once I took the courage to speak, I became closer with them. They told me about their experiences, and I told them mine, and we were quite fascinated with each other’s stories. I found myself smiling more around my classmates. I would even say I became less shy and talked more. The lesson learned is that I am perfectly fine the way I am, and I should have the courage to talk to make friends.