Before I came to Alpine I was in situations that put me in physical and emotional danger. I was hanging out with the wrong people, lying to my family and even lying to myself sometimes.
While I was at Alpine I felt angry and yet so loved and cared for. I was frustrated most days because I was so home sick and I missed my negative life that I lead back at home. However, I felt so much support from my family and from the staff, students, and house-mates. I felt heard and understood which made my time at Alpine much easier and more comfortable.
Some important things I learned at Alpine are, first, to think positively. Life is going to be tough and there will be times when I may feel down, but I decide how I am going to handle things.
I learned that it is ok to have a rough moment or to struggle and make mistakes, but how I react and bounce back is more important than anything else.
When I came home from Alpine my life changed positively because I was able to control my emotions and my impulses. I find that I am able to communicate my feelings, needs, and wants to others in a positive way. I can easily relate to others and help them handle various struggles and situations because I can think clearly and have empathy for them. Since I have been home I have been happier than I ever was before going to Alpine. I still have my rough days, but I can process my thoughts which help me understand what I may need to do to feel better. I recently graduated high school and I am attending college in the fall. In August 2011, if anybody had told me that I would be where I am today, I would not have believed them in a million years.