Hard Work.
My first job was at a catering company when I was probably too young to be working in an industrial kitchen. The legality didn't matter to me, and I was excited to be making $7.50/hr. I still remember when I spent four hours straight buttering garlic bread or chopping pickles for who knows how long, and it felt like an eternity. At the end of each shift, I would calculate how much I made and was filled with a sense of pride for working hard and earning a humble wage. I watched my elders work much harder than I could even conceive, and I remember how diligently my mom, aunty, and nan worked, which had a lasting impact on me.
In addition to the maternal examples of hard work, I cherish the memories of when my dad would bring me to work on his bread delivery route. All those years he woke up at 4 AM or earlier to make it to the restaurants and stores before they opened instilled a true sense of sacrifice for family. My role models demonstrated hard work, dedication, and sacrifice for those they loved. These values have imprinted themselves on my life, and I humbly strive to reflect them.
