What makes me amazing

while talking to my best friend this weekend, i realized something. when i think about why i'm a great catch, i tend to speak in superficial terms. i talk about my many accomplishments that i've made in my 24 years on earth, including:
1) graduating from a great top school in 4 years
2) being accepted to TFA and teaching 8th grade successfully (somewhat lol) for 2 years
3) being accepted to 2 top ten law schools and deciding to attend 1 of them
4) being financially independent and responsible
5) being relatively good-looking :)

but as i stopped to think about it, i realized that this doesn't really say why i'm a good catch. it more so explains why i'm a good law student candidate or a good employee. so i tried to think, what does make me amazing? because i know there must be something. so here it goes...

1) i manage to see the good in people until given a reason not to. and even then, i almost always give them a second chance if they screw up.

2) i am eternally optimistic. u can tell me all the reasons why my kids can't learn, or why or community can't change, or why things will always be bad. and i may agree to your points. but i will still do my part to fight for change to happen, no matter what.

3) i am a God-fearing woman. my journey to God has not been a traditional one but i've discovered Him on my own and i am thankful for that experience. i learned to love the Lord on my own, not because someone told me it was the "black" thing to do. although i am still growing and learning more, and though my relationship is still in a work in progress, i think my faith is very strong. and that is crucial to understand if anyone wants to have a relationship with me.

4) i am compassionate. i will give someone my time, money, effort and attention if they need it. if you need a shoulder to lean on, a couch to sleep on, a few bucks, some food, someone to share your anger with, i'm that person. i tear up at the most random acts of kindness, emotion or beauty (although you will rarely catch me doing this)

5) i have integrity. i am honest and trustworthy and i genuinely want to do the right thing. while i'm far from perfect, i really do try to do the right thing, whether people are looking or not. i think i'm really a good person and i try to live up to that as much as possible

6) i fight for what i believe in. while i am very respectful to others, i will fight for a just cause, whether thats a loved one, a hot topic, or a good ole fashioned debate, i'm there. and i have the intelligence to back up my point. i will join a picket line, write a letter, argue, or even fight for something or someone i believe in.

7) mother's like me. have yet to meet a parent who doesn't have something positive to say. you don't have to worry about bringing me home and getting kicked under the table by your parents because i am acting or looking a fool. not a chance. i'm probably ten times more worried about my overall appearance than the guy is.

8) i'm hot. enough said. :)

9) im a ride or die chick...sort of. i will support you through a lot of things. if you are trying to find yourself, then i'm by your side. i'll help you, encourage you and defend you when others don't understand you. but dont drag me into any foolishness. i have learned from experience that if you have girl issues, that is your problem, not mine. don't expect me to fight all the chicks you can't get off your bumper. if you have constant run-ins with the law, then we can't date. we can be friends (from a distance) but that is not the lifestyle i want to lead. i am going to law school, for pete's sake! i'm not tryna be your wife and lawyer!!! too much!

10) i have respect for myself. i have been disrespected enough to know that it won't happen ever again. calling me crazy names, making me look a fool to others, or any other way that someone can be disrespectful. i respect my body, my mind, my soul and my spirit and if you don't do the same, u can keep it pushin. i can be sexy without trashy and there will never be a mistake about that.

11) i'm intelligent. this is beyond just being booksmart. now, don't get me wrong- i'm a nerd and i'm proud of it. i stay geeked up (lol). but i'm just as likely to engage you in a conversation about politics as i am about how people should spay and neuter their dogs. i know a lot about a lot of things and if i dont know, i surely won't pretend. so don't insult my intelligence. if you are not so bright, thats ok. but u may not be the right guy for me because i need a man that can match my intelligence, maybe even surpass it.

12) i'm a free spirit. i LOVE traveling and i am always open to new experiences. want to travel to Dubai? Vietnam? Turkey? Ghana? Chile? Cuba? I'm wit it! i'm the first to hop on a plane to go to a new country, try some new foods, and learn about a different culture. i am careful but open-minded and i love to get those passport stamps. if you are not a traveler, then thats ok. but dont expect me to wait around in the US. support me when i leave. because i have to travel. its a requirement for my happiness.

well, i guess this is enough for now. this was more for me than anyone else. have you ever made a list like this? if not, i highly suggest that you do. its a fulfilling exercise and it really helps you appreciate who you are.

what makes you amazing?