Kathleen Short,

but most people know me by K.Short by now. If you call me Kathleen, then you're either an ex-lover, someone who knew me before college, or my dentist.

The pictures below were taken in 2016 at my elementary school in West Phoenix (aka Maryvale) called Palm Lane Elementary. As a kid and even now, I can get along with pretty much anybody, besides the bullies. I never had a specific group and wanted everyone to play together and get along. You can say I was a teacher's pet, but a rascal at the same time. I would consider myself a B+ student in school and in life. I wasn't the best, but I was usually in the top percentile. I had potential, but I didn't like rules and authority, so I was usually "second string" in many things, whether it was in sports, academics, or extra-curricular activities. This still rings true to do this day, whether, in love or career, I just can't seem to find my "thing." Some would call me a "jack(ie)-of-all trades," a master of none.

For a while, I blamed my immigrant parents for not "being there." Not being at my games, shows, parent-teacher conferences, and barely even graduations. They didn't put me in karate or band, theater, or tennis, they just said, "Get good grades, graduate, and go to college." That was their American Dream.

That was five years ago and I'm still not in a career. Some would say that I tend to sleep on myself, but I can't help but think that I'm just a big disappointment to everyone who's ever believed in me. *sigh* This isn't a self-pity party, it's my temporary reality. I still believe that I'll make it to where I want to be, but I can't lie...I feel like I'm holding on to the last string of hope from this kid on the playground.

-K.S.