Growing up, I was the kid who always wanted to be the line leader. I never understood the appeal in being the caboose, or why someone would voluntarily want to be the last person to get to class. I always raised my hand when I knew the answer to a question, I was the first to volunteer when a teacher asked who would be willing to help her with a favor, and I was the one in group projects to break the silence in order to create a plan of action. Many would call childhood me a "teacher's pet," but I would call her "a girl who knows what she wants".

Today, I am just that, "a girl who knows what she wants". I want to do well in school, land the job and man of my dreams, be happy, and form strong friendships with other people. I have fun, of course, but only after my obligations are fulfilled. This is something that I am ridiculed for constantly and I'm not exactly sure why.

Is it really a bad thing for me to be driven? Is it really a bad thing for me to know what I want, and if so, why? Why is it considered 'crazy' for me to tell a guy that I am looking for a boyfriend and not someone to 'hang out' with? Why is it considered obnoxious for me to want an A instead of an A- in a class I've been working my butt off in all semester? Why is it considered ambitious for me to want to make more money than my husband will in the future?

We all have two options in life. We can wait around for our dreams to come true, or work towards them every day until we get there. I have chosen to work towards my dreams so that some day the girl who knows what she wants can be the girl who got everything she knew she wanted.

So go ahead and call me bossy, a "know-it-all," a "goody-two-shoes," or whatever it is you like to call motivated people, but keep in mind your choice to wait around for your dreams to come true. A few names won't offend me, but not being able to achieve my goals will. Before you start making fun of someone for their choice,reconsider yours.

To this day, I still raise my hand every time I know the answer to a question, I still am the first to volunteer when a teacher needs help, and I still am the first one to break the silence in group projects to create a course of action. I still get teased for being a "teacher's pet" but i know that I am working to get what I want out of life.