Growing up, I had the picture-perfect childhood. My parents were liberals and raised my brother and I open-minds, and the impression that we were capable of achieving our biggest dreams, no matter how impossible they seemed. My brother and I were also lucky enough to witness my parents practice what they preached. I watched both my parents grow incredibly successful as the years progressed. Today, I call my parents and my older brother the “Dream Team,” since they are still living their dreams and still casually walking the road to success. And then there’s me: almost ready to graduate college, and not quite sure if I'll make the team. The only problem is I’m not too sure I’m capable of making the cut. Let me explain my story of the ‘Dream Team’ and then maybe you’ll see what I mean.
My father, Michael Blum, was born in Israel and moved to America when he was eight. My father and his family had a difficult time assimilating to the new culture and language, as well as struggled financially, while living in Long Island, New York. In school my father was bullied because he was unable to communicate and understand what the teacher was saying. Well, my father turned his unhappiness and insecurities into motivation to learn English and over-achieve in school. My father even skipped a grade and got a full scholarship to college. To make a long story short, my father ended up becoming a successful businessman for big name corporations, such as IBM, Hewlett Packard, etc. And he has even given lectures at prestigious Ivy League schools, such as Harvard. Currently, he is the Vice President and Global Leader Banking for Wipro Technologies, a leading technology company from India. Yes, he had the classic “rags to riches” story.
My mother, Saundra Blum, grew up as your typical all-American girl. She grew up in a wealthy community in Long Island, New York, known as Great Neck, but she claims her family was one of the poorest in town. My mother was nominated as homecoming queen in both high school and college. At first my mother was a special education teacher, then she had her share in the business world as a corporate figure for an insurance company, but for some reason she was convinced that there was another career for her out their that would fill her niche. My mother found that career, and it turned out to be a very different career than we all expected, but she has thrived in success with it. Today, my mother is a hypnotherapist/ past-life regression therapist and is very well-known in the alternative-medicine community. Recently, she released a relaxation Cd, which is being sold on Amazon.com.
Then there’s my brother, Jordan Blum, who is six years older than me. He is that rare kind of person that has known what he wanted to be since he was five years old- a film-maker. He is the biggest movie-buff I know and his imagination is somewhat overally creative. He went to film schools during the summer, had his first job as a camera-man for Fox News at just 18-years-old! In college, he directed a mini-series that aired on the university’s channel. In his junior year of college, he entered a film contest for MTV, and won a VIP pass to the movie premiere of the “Phantom of the Opera,” and his short film was featured on national television. Before he even graduated college, he got an internship at MTV reading scripts. Finally he landed a job as a writer/ production assistant/ Executive Assistant for the hit show, ‘American Dad!’ Recently, he wrote two full episodes, by himself, for ‘American Dad!’ The episodes will air in the spring. Next week, my brother is pitching a new cartoon series to Fox, which he co-created with one of the creators of ‘American Dad!’ Oh and I forgot to mention, his film career looks like it’s going to take off any second, since DreamWorks is considering one of his movie scripts and my brothers long-time hero, and creator of marvel comics, Stan Lee, is also reading his script. Did I mention my brother is only 28?
The Blum Family has experienced success-after-success, which only makes me uneasy to think about how the heck I’m going to live up to all this. I can’t help, but stress since I’m not even totally sure what I want to do with my life yet. I know I want to write, because writing is my passion, but what kind of writing? I haven’t a clue.
Next December I will be graduating with a degree in Journalism and my minor is Women’s studies. The only problem is, over the last 4 years, I’ve realized journalism isn’t really my thing since my strength is creative writing, and the rules of journalism don’t really allow for any imagination or creativity; in other words, I’m screwed. It’s stressful being a Blum, and I may struggle finding my place in the world... But, at least I have connections.
Then there’s my brother, Jordan Blum, who is six years older than me. He is that rare kind of person that has known what he wanted to be since he was five years old- a film-maker. He is the biggest movie-buff I know and his imagination is somewhat overally creative. He went to film schools during the summer, had his first job as a camera-man for Fox News at just 18-years-old! In college, he directed a mini-series that aired on the university’s channel. In his junior year of college, he entered a film contest for MTV, and won a VIP pass to the movie premiere of the “Phantom of the Opera,” and his short film was featured on national television. Before he even graduated college, he got an internship at MTV reading scripts. Finally he landed a job as a writer/ production assistant/ Executive Assistant for the hit show, ‘American Dad!’ Recently, he wrote two full episodes, by himself, for ‘American Dad!’ The episodes will air in the spring. Next week, my brother is pitching a new cartoon series to Fox, which he co-created with one of the creators of ‘American Dad!’ Oh and I forgot to mention, his film career looks like it’s going to take off any second, since DreamWorks is considering one of his movie scripts and my brothers long-time hero, and creator of marvel comics, Stan Lee, is also reading his script. Did I mention my brother is only 28?
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