My name is Mouakong Lee and I was born and raised in Sacramento, Califonia. My ethnicity is Hmong. I grew up in the traditional Hmong household with the typical asian expectations. I went straight into college after high school because it was the asian thing to do. Instead of focusing college, I had dreams of becoming a professional poker player. I would eventually pursue a career path in assurance. After I realized that I didn’t want to be in the assurance industry for the rest of my life, I finally found my true calling with mix martial arts. This ultimately spark my imagination and led me back to college.
I born in West part Sacramento and I had three siblings. I was raised in a single room apartment before my family transitioned into a two room apartment. My siblings were the only Hmong people at our school. My parents always sheltered us and we weren’t allowed too many privileges outside of school and home. My partners wanted a better life for us, so we moved to a house in North Sacramento when I was ten years old. I would go onto finishing junior high and high school in North Sacramento. I never wanted to go to college, however my partners were persistent that I continue my education. I was accepted into Sac State University, however I wasn’t allowed to attend the initial semester because I missed the orientation. I ended up enrolling at Sac City Community College at my parents discretion.
While I was in enrolled at Sac City Community College, I had no ambition for school. I would often skip class, opting to either work or play poker. At the time, I had dreams of becoming a professional poker player. I skipped class for four to five semester straight before I was academically dismissed without knowing. I finally built the courage and told my parents that school wasn’t for me.
I was presented an opportunity to work for an assurance company, in which I accepted. My initial goal was to become a sales agent. I diligently learned the process and did my best to earn the appreciation of my manager. The more I worked, the more I realized that I didn’t want to become a sales agent. I eventually applied for an opportunity to move up as a secretary, however I was passed the position. The company would later offer me the position, after the person who initially received the position quit after a year. I accepted the opportunity under one circumstance that it would come with a substantial pay raise. The company wasn’t able to meet my request, so I would inevitably resign.
Prior to resigning from the assurance company, I was read The Secret. The Secret was taught to visualize my success and to believe in myself. I knew that my life wouldn’t end with me working at an assurance company. I always had a passion with mixed martial arts, but I didn’t realize it until now. I eventually started got personal training and I found my true calling. Through martial arts, I developed supreme confidence and became at peace with myself.
I’ve been wanting to go back to college for quite some time, but I had fears of the startup process. I wasn’t afraid of college itself, but more so getting enrolled after I’ve been academically dismissed. I had to asked my girlfriend for help with getting me onto the right path. I was able to enroll and aced my first semester in the summer. I am currently in the process of petitioning my previous grades. I initially wanted to attend college to obtain more knowledge, however my purpose has since changed. I am now focused on finishing college as I know that is my parents greatest wish. I am on my fourth semester and I look forward to a bright future.
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Mouakong’s Blog 