The Come Up, vol. Look At Me Know, vol. We Made It

[alkatrez]

After reading the dispute about how people spend their money and come from difficult backgrounds, I decided that there should be a more positive thread about people coming from the bottom and moving to the top.

Let's kill all the animosity and negativity. I want nothing but reps and uplifting of one another in here.

I'll start off with cliff notes.

Grew up in a single parent household with two other siblings.
Mom was in and out of abusive relationships. She worked low paying jobs, mostly fast food joints. We did receive government assistance for a period of time. Mom eventually got off government assistance when she got a more stable job with consistent hours as a janitor for a middle school.
I didn't get a lot of the stuff other kids got, unless I saved money for it and got it myself.
Up until I started working myself, I only received 1-2 pairs of shoes a year. Basically, I only had a week rotation worth of clothes.

Now, I'm graduating this month with my masters degree and will be moving at the end of this month. Looking back, I realized that I overcame a lot in order to accomplish my goals.

I'm sure there may be a thread similar to this, but I'm too lazy to search...sue me.

 

[fly23s]

Still in high school for 5 and a half years hopefully I graduate and start taking life serious. My FAM is disappointed at me but still holding me down. Love my moms and pops. Need a opportunity to success.

 

[huynher]

Still in high school for 5 and a half years hopefully I graduate and start taking life serious. My FAM is disappointed at me but still holding me down. Love my moms and pops. Need a opportunity to success.

Finish that ****, fam. Keep grinding.

 

[royal assassin]

 

[knightlovesqueen]

in for the reps lol.



on a srs note

anyone in the psych field gearing up for grad school feel free to ask me anything.

 

[stunnafasho03]

in for the reps lol.



on a srs note

anyone in the psych field gearing up for grad school feel free to ask me anything.

Anyone with ?'s about health and physical fitness ask me anything

 

[alkatrez]

Still in high school for 5 and a half years hopefully I graduate and start taking life serious. My FAM is disappointed at me but still holding me down. Love my moms and pops. Need a opportunity to success.

At least you're still at it man. There are many people who would just drop out. Use their disappointment as motivation. Work hard to put yourself in a situation to excel. Keep striving my dude.

 

[ksteezy]

Born in Colombia, dad was killed by a car when I was about 20 months...moms couldn't deal with the pain, embarked on a month long trip from Colombia to the USA across borders, I stood with grandma back home, didn't see mom from 4 to 9 in those five years she did what she had to do to stabilize herself here, married for papers, brought me over...finished raising me on her own, a spoiled brat I was used to getting everything I asked for who gave her hell through my early teenage years and her abomdonment guilt couldn't let her teach me a lesson, now that I'm older I understand what I put her through...anyways, raised in the Bronx, went to high school there, too concern trying to "hug up the block", that I missed a chance at any real good universities, always kept up good grades though...I'm naturally smart I guess. Met my wife right before graduating HS, started to get my life together, took a year off, worked...wife and one of my best friends got me back into school mode, went to a community college as a liberal arts major, got amazing grades in anything science or math and was recruited into the Respiratory Care program back in 2002 this was when my life took a turn for the best....on my 3rd semester got my first real money job as a sleep tech while going through school...went from working two retail jobs making 7$ at each, to making 17.50$ at one, working nights full time while goin to school in the day, making that money I was still at home, decided I'd but my diet brand new car and when I graduate I'd move out and did just that, got an 05 scion TC....graduated that same year, ups and does with my then GF current wife, we moved in together, I was now a therapist, living on my own with my girl in a pretty good neighborhood, I was independent....we broke up, she moved out, I lived the single life for sometime, we got back together, engaged, and married in 09, 2 years prior I started getting into photography, after we got married in 09 I was now working 2 jobs as a therapist, photography was now my business, help moms out when she needs me, work hard but live pretty good and totally excited about what the future holds, as I know things should only get better...I'm no crazy success story but I know I was fortunate enough to have a selfless mother who sacrificed it all to give me an opportunity and I feel I didn't waste it.

 

[stunnafasho03]

Born in Colombia, dad was killed by a car when I was about 20 months...moms couldn't deal with the pain, embarked on a month long trip from Colombia to the USA across borders, I stood with grandma back home, didn't see mom from 4 to 9 in those five years she did what she had to do to stabilize herself here, married for papers, brought me over...finished raising me on her own, a spoiled brat I was used to getting everything I asked for who gave her hell through my early teenage years and her abomdonment guilt couldn't let her teach me a lesson, now that I'm older I understand what I put her through...anyways, raised in the Bronx, went to high school there, too concern trying to "hug up the block", that I missed a chance at any real good universities, always kept up good grades though...I'm naturally smart I guess. Met my wife right before graduating HS, started to get my life together, took a year off, worked...wife and one of my best friends got me back into school mode, went to a community college as a liberal arts major, got amazing grades in anything science or math and was recruited into the Respiratory Care program back in 2002 this was when my life took a turn for the best....on my 3rd semester got my first real money job as a sleep tech while going through school...went from working two retail jobs making 7$ at each, to making 17.50$ at one, working nights full time while goin to school in the day, making that money I was still at home, decided I'd but my diet brand new car and when I graduate I'd move out and did just that, got an 05 scion TC....graduated that same year, ups and does with my then GF current wife, we moved in together, I was now a therapist, living on my own with my girl in a pretty good neighborhood, I was independent....we broke up, she moved out, I lived the single life for sometime, we got back together, engaged, and married in 09, 2 years prior I started getting into photography, after we got married in 09 I was now working 2 jobs as a therapist, photography was now my business, help moms out when she needs me, work hard but live pretty good and totally excited about what the future holds, as I know things should only get better...I'm no crazy success story but I know I was fortunate enough to have a selfless mother who sacrificed it all to give me an opportunity and I feel I didn't waste it.

good stuff

 

[itshlittt]

 

[djyoung08]

Went to college for music

Now working full time as a database engineer

22/living @ home for the time being (paying rent, of course)

Planning on getting engaged Q1 of 2013 (dating just over 2 yrs now)

Married Q3 2013

 

[sunny559]

Still in high school for 5 and a half years hopefully I graduate and start taking life serious. My FAM is disappointed at me but still holding me down. Love my moms and pops. Need a opportunity to success.

Keep on the grind my man.

Came from the streets of india when I was 2 years old, grew up crap poor on the outskirts of town. When I was 10 my dad started up a photography business & since then I put in 40-80 hour weeks, took it from one still camera/one video camera to a 12 employee videography/photography business. 4 whips, big house, only work Fridays & Saturdays. I've had my fair share of struggles, but listing them is useless so I just gotta say I'm glad I am where I am & hope to keep going. Been in school the whole time as well, shipping off to med-school middle of this year as well, business runs itself.

I was lucky enough to get the opportunity that is America, & I dont want to waste it, at all.

 

[jordanscrub]

Born in Colombia, dad was killed by a car when I was about 20 months...moms couldn't deal with the pain, embarked on a month long trip from Colombia to the USA across borders, I stood with grandma back home, didn't see mom from 4 to 9 in those five years she did what she had to do to stabilize herself here, married for papers, brought me over...finished raising me on her own, a spoiled brat I was used to getting everything I asked for who gave her hell through my early teenage years and her abomdonment guilt couldn't let her teach me a lesson, now that I'm older I understand what I put her through...anyways, raised in the Bronx, went to high school there, too concern trying to "hug up the block", that I missed a chance at any real good universities, always kept up good grades though...I'm naturally smart I guess. Met my wife right before graduating HS, started to get my life together, took a year off, worked...wife and one of my best friends got me back into school mode, went to a community college as a liberal arts major, got amazing grades in anything science or math and was recruited into the Respiratory Care program back in 2002 this was when my life took a turn for the best....on my 3rd semester got my first real money job as a sleep tech while going through school...went from working two retail jobs making 7$ at each, to making 17.50$ at one, working nights full time while goin to school in the day, making that money I was still at home, decided I'd but my diet brand new car and when I graduate I'd move out and did just that, got an 05 scion TC....graduated that same year, ups and does with my then GF current wife, we moved in together, I was now a therapist, living on my own with my girl in a pretty good neighborhood, I was independent....we broke up, she moved out, I lived the single life for sometime, we got back together, engaged, and married in 09, 2 years prior I started getting into photography, after we got married in 09 I was now working 2 jobs as a therapist, photography was now my business, help moms out when she needs me, work hard but live pretty good and totally excited about what the future holds, as I know things should only get better...I'm no crazy success story but I know I was fortunate enough to have a selfless mother who sacrificed it all to give me an opportunity and I feel I didn't waste it.

You're my dude, K. You've influenced a lot of people on this site.

 

[ksteezy]

Thanks, just an open window into my life, I'm sure there are many that can relate.

 

[alkatrez]

Ksteezy and sunny559, I appreciate you two sharing your stories.

Too often, people get stuck in the mind frame that they can't escape their situation. Hopefully, some will read this thread and gain inspiration.
Also, I hope the stories shared will help others understand what many have endured and overcome, and help stop some of the negative stereotypes that are formed against different ethnicities, social classes, cultural backgrounds, etc.

 

[oh you mad]

Born in Colombia, dad was killed by a car when I was about 20 months...moms couldn't deal with the pain, embarked on a month long trip from Colombia to the USA across borders, I stood with grandma back home, didn't see mom from 4 to 9 in those five years she did what she had to do to stabilize herself here, married for papers, brought me over...finished raising me on her own, a spoiled brat I was used to getting everything I asked for who gave her hell through my early teenage years and her abomdonment guilt couldn't let her teach me a lesson, now that I'm older I understand what I put her through...anyways, raised in the Bronx, went to high school there, too concern trying to "hug up the block", that I missed a chance at any real good universities, always kept up good grades though...I'm naturally smart I guess. Met my wife right before graduating HS, started to get my life together, took a year off, worked...wife and one of my best friends got me back into school mode, went to a community college as a liberal arts major, got amazing grades in anything science or math and was recruited into the Respiratory Care program back in 2002 this was when my life took a turn for the best....on my 3rd semester got my first real money job as a sleep tech while going through school...went from working two retail jobs making 7$ at each, to making 17.50$ at one, working nights full time while goin to school in the day, making that money I was still at home, decided I'd but my diet brand new car and when I graduate I'd move out and did just that, got an 05 scion TC....graduated that same year, ups and does with my then GF current wife, we moved in together, I was now a therapist, living on my own with my girl in a pretty good neighborhood, I was independent....we broke up, she moved out, I lived the single life for sometime, we got back together, engaged, and married in 09, 2 years prior I started getting into photography, after we got married in 09 I was now working 2 jobs as a therapist, photography was now my business, help moms out when she needs me, work hard but live pretty good and totally excited about what the future holds, as I know things should only get better...I'm no crazy success story but I know I was fortunate enough to have a selfless mother who sacrificed it all to give me an opportunity and I feel I didn't waste it.

Repped.

 

[Deleted member 87369]

This thread

 

[powerballin]

Great thread I might share one day

 

[guzzy]

I didn't get a lot of the stuff other kids got, unless I saved money for it and got it myself.
 I only had a week rotation worth of clothes.
 

I missed a chance at any real good universities, always kept up good grades though...I'm naturally smart I guess.

Bruh these feels

 

[change the name Snyder]

Thanks for that Steezy.

 

[alkatrez]

Went to college for music
Now working full time as a database engineer
22/living @ home for the time being (paying rent, of course)
Planning on getting engaged Q1 of 2013 (dating just over 2 yrs now)
Married Q3 2013

Best wishes on your future engagement bruh.

 

[luong1209]

Still in high school for 5 and a half years hopefully I graduate and start taking life serious. My FAM is disappointed at me but still holding me down. Love my moms and pops. Need a opportunity to success.

Don't matter how long it takes, cross that line and graduate. It'll be an accomplishment nobody can take away. Drake will be proud.


I thought about dropping ou of college years ago, but graduating real soon.

 

[ez money]

Cliff notes on my life, my struggle....

Grew up in an abusive household, Pops always fighting my older brother and hitting my Mom. Dude also on that rock didn't help, constant mood swings and magician acts of being there and being gone. My big brother was really my father. I still grew up a smart kid, all A's, never missed a day of school from K-6th grade. Once I hit Middle school I spiraled, smoking kush, missing alot of school but still maintaining all A's and few B's. Caught my first case at 14, went to Juvie. Was riding around in a stolen car, not knowing but I had kush on me since I was selling at the time. HS was a different story, Freshmen year I literally missed every Monday (this was before you could lose credit for absence) So I moved to the Burbs, and F'ed up more there. At 17 caught another case of possession and at that age I was tried as an adult. So I began my adult life on probation. And basically stayed on probation for 2 years longer than needed due to F'in up. Caught a break when I got a job at Wendy's and got to work for school credit and it helped get me off papers. Didnt really matter though, after I graduated I constantly stayed F'in up. Even with the help of my Uncle who bought me my first car, who helped me financially and didd everything for me couldnt help. Eventually my Uncle caught Cancer, and died in the house I was living with my Mom/Gpa. That right there as harsh and ****** me up mentally. Went to jail about 10 times from HS to about 3-4 yrs after graduating.... all BS charges from No insurance to no license. Well all were BS charges till one day I got hit with another charge. One day a what I thought to be friend wanted to go kick it... we rounded up the crew, bought some bottles and was about to get a hotel room. through a lil semi party, well my buddy didnt have an ID. So i got the room with his Mom CC, i had my ID. Well, it wasnt his Moms CC, it was stolen. Long story short on the story within the story, I was charge with a felony, stuck on felony probation, and i couldve easily said who really did it but thought it was tough to not "snitch" Well, I was ordered to pay around 7 racks. Money i knew i didnt have, so while on papers I was back at it in the kush game. So heavy that I was getting more and more, and i was getting more worried too. Never was the type to move "weight" and didnt want to start now. Well, it all came down when the crib was raided. Luckily I wasnt home at the time so I got away to focus on getting the money for the right lawyers, and take care of all the business that needed to before turning myself in. Well, i started a new life, got my money right, did my time and now I'm happy as ever. I was lucky enough to not be home when sh*t hit the fan, which i felt gave me the advantage to strategically plan out what i needed to do to make my life/situation right. Its been a long, painstaking road but I'm glad everything has happened to me and all the decisions ive made. It builds character and makes me the man I am today. Present day I'm warrant/jail/police free lol Buying a house, Got a girl and a dog, living in a better city with more opportunities and I'm happy which is most important. When life gives you Oranges, Make what you want out of it.... Orange juice, Orange chicken, orange jello... doesn't matter what life gives you, its what YOU make out of it.

Hope my story can help the average hustler, the average F*** Up, just the average person to know that life can turn around. You just have to believe and work hard....

One of the worse feelings in the world, I still remember to this day... is when the police woke me up out of my sleep, and took me to jail. The look on my Mother's face is burned into my mind as a facial expression i NEVER want to see again. Whatever motivation you need to not F up again, use it.

 

[Ox.]

i'm the youngest brother of 5, i grew up with no dad, mom divorced when i was a baby, he wasn't a good person, he was abusive to my mom and brothers. she pretty much raised all 5 of us guys on her own, had government assistance, grew up in housing and section 8 *still living in section 8* seen things i shouldn't have, been around things i shouldn't have, done things i shouldn't have, grew up on hand me downs, one pair of shoes a year, being the baby i was spoiled but mom couldn't afford it so she would put toys on layaway, she worked in the fields when she came here from mexico and was forced to work and provide for my grandma and aunts and uncles at 16 years old since she was the oldest. she really liked school but she wasn't able to attend school here bc of her being an immigrant, as the years went by she got her citizenship and started going to college but sadly at the same time two of my brothers started screwing up and she dropped out to keep an eye on them, unfortunately she never went back. she worked at some lousy jobs just to put food on the table. we still struggle to this day since it's just me and her, all my brothers are wifed up with kids, one in prison. she works at an electronic store and i'm unemployed, i recently got let go from my job and i don't qualify for unemployment. out of 5 brothers, only the oldest and myself graduated high school and only i have a college degree, i got my associate's in criminal justice in hopes of keeping kids out of trouble but no luck in landing a job or opportunity to volunteer. just waiting to get some help on figuring out what classes/schooling i need in order for me to go back to school and get another degree to hopefully land a job. haha i haven't made it but i'm not giving up on hope...

just remember to have hope and believe in yourself even if no one else does, my mom and couple of my brothers doubted me even some "friends" but i didn't stop believing in myself, when you're at a low point just keep your head up and keep pushing...

 

[xbiker47]

Born in Colombia, dad was killed by a car when I was about 20 months...moms couldn't deal with the pain, embarked on a month long trip from Colombia to the USA across borders, I stood with grandma back home, didn't see mom from 4 to 9 in those five years she did what she had to do to stabilize herself here, married for papers, brought me over...finished raising me on her own, a spoiled brat I was used to getting everything I asked for who gave her hell through my early teenage years and her abomdonment guilt couldn't let her teach me a lesson, now that I'm older I understand what I put her through...anyways, raised in the Bronx, went to high school there, too concern trying to "hug up the block", that I missed a chance at any real good universities, always kept up good grades though...I'm naturally smart I guess. Met my wife right before graduating HS, started to get my life together, took a year off, worked...wife and one of my best friends got me back into school mode, went to a community college as a liberal arts major, got amazing grades in anything science or math and was recruited into the Respiratory Care program back in 2002 this was when my life took a turn for the best....on my 3rd semester got my first real money job as a sleep tech while going through school...went from working two retail jobs making 7$ at each, to making 17.50$ at one, working nights full time while goin to school in the day, making that money I was still at home, decided I'd but my diet brand new car and when I graduate I'd move out and did just that, got an 05 scion TC....graduated that same year, ups and does with my then GF current wife, we moved in together, I was now a therapist, living on my own with my girl in a pretty good neighborhood, I was independent....we broke up, she moved out, I lived the single life for sometime, we got back together, engaged, and married in 09, 2 years prior I started getting into photography, after we got married in 09 I was now working 2 jobs as a therapist, photography was now my business, help moms out when she needs me, work hard but live pretty good and totally excited about what the future holds, as I know things should only get better...I'm no crazy success story but I know I was fortunate enough to have a selfless mother who sacrificed it all to give me an opportunity and I feel I didn't waste it.