It was Saturday morning. It was every summer Saturday morning. It's always muggy and scorching hot, but just not as hot as it will be later on in the day. Our shirts stick to our bodies from the sheer...

At the age of 9, I received my very first award. A shiny gold medal. I was so proud. But yet, I still craved validation from my parents. My naïve young self went home flashing my shiny gold medal and...