Hi I'm Tara, have we met?

At the moment I'm reading 'Eat, Pray, Love'. Reading about another woman's personal journey really makes you think about yourself. In addition I am now studying 'Self' in my social psychology class. Suffice to say I've spent a lot of time recently pondering over what makes me… me. So this is my best attempt to define myself, to introduce myself honestly.

I am short. I am a small person. I have curly hair. I am a girl.
I am young. I am eighteen years old, but mature for my age (I like to think). I am an old soul I believe, or so my mother tells me. I feel older than I am, and look younger than I feel. I am wise beyond my years.
I am immature, too, at times. I am funny. I like to make people laugh, and to laugh myself. Sometimes at myself.

I am a good friend, and I have good friends. I put other's before myself (at times). I value my friend's happiness and love. I value my friends. I am selfish (at times). I believe that if I do not make myself happy I cannot make other's happy. I believe that if I do not love myself no one else can love me truly.

I am beautiful. I am no more beautiful than the 'fat girl with acne who doesn't shave her legs', or the woman begging on the streets who has no home. I am no less beautiful than the highest paid, skinniest model or even the girl with the nicer hair or the fancier clothes than me. Not every part of me is beautiful, but I am beautiful.

I am smart. There are some things that I know better than others, and many that other's know better than me. I can, and do, learn from those around me. And I can teach them, too.

I am compassionate and selfless and positive and loving and friendly and generous and helpful at times.
I am selfish and moody and arrogant and mean and loud and angry and negative at times.

I am the daughter of a failed (and then fixed) marriage. I am a sister. I am a good sister.

I am fortunate, and I know it and try to appreciate it every day. I am grateful.
I am silly and childish at times, serious and morbid at others.

I have struggled in my life. I was not always so positive or happy. I have overcome these obstacles.
I have more obstacles to over come, more barriers in my way. More tears to cry and fights to have. I have much to learn and much to try and discover.

I am young. I have infinity ahead of me.

I am completely myself. There is no one else in this world exactly like me and no one else I'd rather be.
My past does not define me as a person, but it has shaped who I am today. My future will not make me, but it will change me. My present is the best I have ever been.

Who are you?