V I S I O N

Waking up to a heavy heartbeat, eyes open wide ready to face my critique

the thought of me presenting my structure makes my palms sweaty and

all I'm thinking is the vision

the vision that creates art and beauty within our small city

the vision of women becoming architects who can succeed

the vision of being inspired by your own people

the vision that keeps pushing me to follow my dreams

building something with my own two hands became more significant

as every splinter, cut and bandage brought me wanting more

I once felt defeated but kept learning from my mistakes

as I once told stories from my structures and collages

I continue to create art that will not satisfy the wise

but give life to the new in which I'm thinking of my vision

my vision to speak to others through architecture

my vision to give a warm home to my people

my vision to inspire our future generations

my vision to make my immigrant family proud

my vision to create something memorable

every step, every reading, every lecture, every sleepless night

brings me hope that every struggle in life will bring not only me

but anyone facing these obstacles in life will construct themselves

to become someone greater than they ever imagined

that's the vision.