Who You Are Matters

 My name is Allison Alban, but most people know me as Ali. I was born and raised in Southern California, specifically the San Fernando Valley. So yes, I am LIKE a valley girl. But, a major part of my upbringing is my ethnicity. I am Latina. My mother is fully Mexican and my father is Guatemalan and Ecuadorian and a former US Marine. Interestingly enough, my Spanish is still not the best, but it's funny, because all the crazy Latino culture still remains active in my upbringing and life. 

In terms of where I am going, that question can lead me anywhere. Do you mean through my career? Because if so, I am going to be working at US Bank post-grad. But if you mean, where am I going in terms of future goals? Well, my goal in life is to be successful. To me that means having a loving family that consists of abundance, joy, and health. The way I plan to get to any of these places is how I have done most of my life. By working hard, helping others, and dreaming big! (My family’s mantra). 

With that being said, I do think that I have developed some of my own expectations for myself, but truthfully, I have operated mostly under the expectations of what society or what my dad deemed makes a successful person. But someone who serves as a model for me that has broken this trend of following societal expectations is my boyfriend Zane. Zane is a very important part of my life and beyond being my boyfriend, he has been one of my best friends since the 6th grade. He truly lives his life with great passion and personal responsibility, and sometimes it makes me question whether I know what I want from my life, because he truly does. 

Nature has been a major part of my life growing up in beautiful Southern California. A significant childhood encounter that I had with a plant has to do with my long career playing soccer. Every time I would play on the field I would feel a strong connection to the grass below me. It was almost as if in that moment the grass and I were one. Obviously, this led to many grass burns however, I wouldn't change these experiences for the world. 

Lastly, the animal that I feel the most special connection with is a Lion. I know it seems cliche and basic, but my family refers to themselves as the “Alban Pride”. Lions are known as “the King of the Jungle”. They are strong, courageous and leaders, which is why I feel like I resonate with them as these are qualities I aim for. Though, most importantly, I resonate with a Lion because they thrive within their pride; and without the people I love around me supporting me, I do not think I would be the person I am today.

Horoscope:

• Sun Sign: Aquarius 

• Moon Sign: Capricorn 

• Ascendant or Rising Sign: Leo