Hi, my name is Jessie Valle.

No, that's a lie.

It's actually Jessie Megrelishvili.

However, I expect to make money off of my name in the near future and who's going to spend their time trying to remember "Megrelishvili?"

I wouldn't and you wouldn't either. So we'll stick to Valle..

Anyways, I figured I'd be classy for once and give a formal introduction. I want us to be friends, maybe even lovers (e-mail me) and new friends are like a new pair of Air Force 1's, they need to be broken in. You seem a bit shy so I guess I'll go first...

I popped out of the womb May 20th 1997, I was born to Irina Mitaur and David Megrelishvili. We took my Fathers name because, well, that's just how it goes. My Father was raised in the beautiful country of Georgia. No, not the state. The country, known for its Black Sea, is just to the north of Russia, where my Mom is from. She says her city, Moscow, is a better version of Manhattan, I don't believe her.

Did I mention I have an older brother?

Yeah, his name is Alex, he was born in '91 on Valentine's day. Can you believe that? Now he's a Dating Coach, go figure..

Shortly after the birth of my big bro, the whole family packed their bags and took a one-way flight to America. As Jews living in Russia, the ability to thrive wasn't an option, so they escaped to the "Land of Opportunity."

The American Dream didn't play out like my parents expected, but they've done well for themselves.

My father's worked behind the wheel pretty much his whole life as a New Yorker. His first gig was delivering bread throughout the neighborhoods of Brooklyn, that's where my brother Alex and I grew up.

At one point, he was working as a Physical Therapist. He loved that job, mostly because he was good at it. Unfortunately, back in '09 the city was coming down hard, threatening to close down any facilities hiring guys who were not certified--guys like my father. I guess you could say he was blacklisted; no one was willing to take that chance. The following years were pretty rough, but that's another story for a different day...

Now he's got his brand new 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, working for VIa (it's like Uber, but they pay more.) He spends his days driving around tourists, spoiled punks and Wall Street hot shots. Not the most exciting job, but it pays the bills.

My Mother's always been in sales, she wanted to be a psychologist, but making sure we had a roof over our head left unfinished business. She works in a nursing home as an Administrative Assistant. She keeps the business afloat, but it seems like the waters are getting shaky.

I was raised in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. As a kid it seemed to be an end of an era, the iconic Italian neighborhood was attracting a new crowd, filled with Asians and Russian Jews, like me. I always tried to mimic my Italian schoolmates. Their confidence, their pride, it was seductive. I tried to be one with the gang, but it just wasn't meant to be.

Funny enough, as things would have it, I grew to be somewhat of a floater; bouncing around from clique to clique, always friendly but never committed.

In high school I craved for independence. I hated my teachers, hated the government one which I really knew nothing about (and still don't.) I was, like all my teachers would say; Fresh.

I'd brawl with my enemies (and lose), steal graphic tees, ruin people's property and sell anything to make an extra buck. It was all exciting, with enough stories for a lifetime. But, I did give my mom a lot of gray hairs, to say the least.

It was a wild ride that quickly crashed and burned.

I was always a happy kid, however, at 16, life at home was hectic and it filled me with negative emotions. I never liked reading books, but one caught my attention: " Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Teens" by Richard Carlson. It sparked in me a profound interest for the world of self-help. I started consuming one personal-development book after another and I saw that if I worked on myself, I could be of the greats. I had an intense desire to grow in to the strongest version of myself, I knew I had to change.

Plus, at the time, I got myself a girlfriend, I knew if I wanted to keep her I had to get my sh*t together...

Though I never excelled, I started doing well in school. I still despised it --oh, wait until you hear my rants about the education system in America.--but, I had to graduate for my parents sake.

Though this new found world of self-development was amazing, it was also a curse in disguise. I became obsessed with being the best, I felt that I had so much to prove and my ego began to overwhelm everyone around me.

I became a hard-ass, cynical and contradicting. I read a little "self-help" and thought I knew the solution to everyone's misery and discontent. It was my way or the highway, and boy was I driving down the road of social suicide.

As the end of Senior year approached, I decided to keep mostly to myself. I was still dating the girl I told you about earlier, but the credits were soon to roll on that one as well..

I just wanted to get away from my "old life" as quickly as possible..

I was craving to graduate, something deep inside was begging to go. I knew once I was able to have control over my time, that life would kneel to me and give me all that I asked of it.

I was soon to be humbled...

Now, I'd love to tell you the rest, but I've been working on this all day and my stomach is starting to talk..

Before I go grab some Chipotle I will leave you with this;

It's been a year since I graduated and what followed was a journey that pushed me past my limits and out of my comfort zone. It was, and still is a time of trials and tribulations.

Where am I now?

I am exactly where I wanted to be.

I work as a Copywriter for a multi-million dollar business in a Penthouse on the Upper West Side of Manhattan where I am currently creating this post. I spend most of my days next to personal heros and mentors. I've been able to meet and develop relationships with people I once only wished existed, and the best part?

It's only just begun.. :)

Out and about,

Jessie V.

P.S.

I love to hear myself talk but sometimes it gets boring. So, please leave a comment telling me a little bit about yourself and your life before, during, or after high school. I've decided to write so I can inspire. However, I'd also love to be inspired. :D