T.J.

Hi, my name is T.J. Reid! I am blackanese – half Japanese and half black. I was born July 10, 1985. Here is my life story. Twenty-one years ago, I came into this world with much misery and misfortune. I was born in a town of bareness and harshness for both my parents. My dad was in the military and was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base. We couldn’t escape the harsh life of Biloxi, Mississippi. I couldn’t obtain the proper nourishment and suffered from the lack of attention that every baby needed. My mother could only afford to eat the few pieces of toast with peanut butter and left over bacon sitting in the top shelf of the refrigerator. Fortunately, my mother and father were very sensible about their current situation and tried their best to show me the care and love that I could only hope for. When all hope was at its end, an angel found her wing. It was a miracle! One Monday morning my dad got a call from his boss’s office and was appointed to Yokota Airforce Base in Japan. Everything seemed to have brightened up for us that day! I grew up in Japan from then on (8 years before I moved to Vacaville California) and aged with opportunities for skillful and intellectual growth, assured by love from my parents and confidence that anything was possible as long as I tried. But unluckily as a child I knew only one thing, the world had been revolving around me. This state of simplicity continued until I eventually attended West Yokota Elementary School and met other people who inspired me and showed me friendship. From this moment on I viewed life in a whole different scale. The world that I thought was sealed and locked away from the midst of reality had at last opened up when I finally had a chance to experience it for myself. My interest in science and other academic and disciplinary classes dates back to when I was in 3rd grade. Ever since, I could remember my parents trying their best to motivate and prepare me for the years ahead. They concentrated on helping me become something better than an average Joe. They hoped to steer my mind toward a direction that would strengthen my abilities for a successful future. I was always a good student and had good study habits, which built up my positive attitude and reputation as a role model for some of my younger peers. Before I arrived in UCSC two years ago, I was enrolled in Will C. Wood High school. During the spring of 2000, the Fairfield-Suisun Alliance of Black School Educators awarded me special recognition for outstanding achievement in education. It was one of those I-am-proud-to-be-who-I-am-kind-of moments. Since I was planning to major in Computer Science and Arts, I took several classes in school that fit those criteria. I was involved in making videos for the school by engaging in classes like mass media and strengthening my abilities in acting by taking courses in Theatre arts. Furthermore, I am proud to acknowledge the fact that I have pushed myself extensively over the last few years by taking advantage of the abilities I never knew I had. When I was in 12th grade I took courses such as Physics. I sacrifice most of my time in order to concentrate on what I have to learn in this class. You wouldn’t believe how fast pass it is - keeping up with Mr. Wong, is like trying to interpret what the Architect is trying to say from the Matrix Trilogy. But still, I knew what I had to do. Quite frankly, I’ve become the most enduring student in the class. Well, now that finally brings me down to talking about my college career. I'm doing very well for myself now. I am actually a computer game design major and I'm loving it. Currently I am a part of an internship called MARC/MBRS which is a program that help ungrads focus on their academic performance so as to help them pursue graduate school. I am also UCSC's notable Food service Adviser who is trying his best to improve the UCSC dining hall facilities as well as the students' dining hall experiences. Surely enough, my plans following the accomplishment of my current academic courses are to move into graduate work and perhaps toward my master's in art and/or computer science. There you have it! I may have over-exaggerated a little bit but that's about what my life comes down to. Just add me if ya want to know more!
My Interests:
Dance Dance Revolution, Acting, Drawing, Composing music, Making AMV, Fixing/Building Computers, and can't forget Tennis and soccer!
Favorite Type(s) of Music:
Trance, Techno, Classical, Jpop, R&B