#theonelightproject

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hey! I'm Teji (Tay-jee), a 25 year old Indian girl from Rancho Cucamonga but currently residing in a beautiful old Victorian in San Francisco with my best friend and our cat. I have a degree in Linguistics, a passion for Design and a career in Marketing. I have an unhealthy obsession with the rain, dancing, my car, and hot cheetos. I consider myself a free bird and LOVE to travel, for any reason; I try not to revisit the same locations twice. I also have the BEST people in my corner, I have no idea how I got so lucky with the amazing group of people that support me constantly, especially my older brother.

2. Do you consider yourself a good role model? 

I think being called a role model is one of the highest honors someone could receive. When I think of my role  models; my brother (Kavi), my college mentor (Imani), Audrey Hepburn… I like to think that they are my role models in all the ways. They're upstanding individuals who make the people around them better, the society they live in better and are kicking butt in their professional lives. To me, being a role model means being a well rounded person who may make some mistakes, but can acknowledge that and get back on path. I can only hope to be a role model to others as they are to me...

I am constantly working to be better but I think I am on my way to being a good role model, sometimes it's better to "do as I say, not as I do"  and not  "monkey see, monkey do" type of a situation. Ha. I started participating in mentoring roles in high school, then became a UC Santa Cruz Resident Assistant (I became the mom/big sis of over 140 people, with the help of a CO-RA) and eventually started a mentoring program at the Boys & Girls Club in SF. The kids I met during my RA years are people I now consider my best friends and even though I'm not longer officially their RA, I still feel as though I fill that role in their lives. But in general, I tend to be the mom in my social groups…which I love.

3. What is currently in your mind, at this very moment? 

My trip to Canada! I am going on a mini getaway up to Seattle, Vancouver and Whistler for a few days! I have  never been and am excited about not having cell data out, there-a full disconnect. And that the day I come back, I'll be starting a new career at an AMAZING company, I'm beyond ecstatic. UHMM and the fact that I was overzealous at Ikea the other day and thought I bought my room a "house plant" but when I put it in my room I realized it's a tree/bush and it's HUGE. I'm currently in bed staring at it figuring out how to move my furniture around for this hilarious new addition. Ha, it's really funny actually. Oh, and taxes. boo.

4. How did you hear about theONELIGHTPROJECT?

ATE KRIS! I love the Nocon sisters, they've always been such bad a** women and I started seeing Ate Kris post 11.11 #theonelightproject captions and I became immediately interested. I've always oddly been into catching the clock at 11.11, in fact most friends think I've set an alarm to go off (I haven't!). I checked out their IG page, the hashtag and the Tumblr and fell in love with the concept.

5. After being involved and seeing our first video, what does theONELIGHTPROJECT mean to you now and what’s your perspective on the message we are trying to convey?

I think theONELIGHTPROJECT is amazing. I love the idea of connecting everyone, regardless of where/who/what, twice a day. I have a lot of health problems and there are some days/weeks, like last week, that I'm on bed rest and lonely as hell but for those two times a day I feel like I'm in a social environment interacting with TONS of people. I can click on the hashtag and see what everyone is doing and for that time, forget my problems. I really want/hope this will get bigger and bigger. Life is crazy man, seriously insane, and sometimes you just need need to slow down and breathe-11.11 is perfect for that. 

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Rachelle (however it's pronounced Rachel).  I'm roughly 5'0" short, and I enjoy taking long walks on the beach and - I'm just kidding. Actually, that's a tough one to answer.  For the most part, I don't like describing myself.  Maybe it's due to the fact that I discover something new about myself daily.  In a nutshell, I'm a mom, a daughter, a friend, a nurse, a jiu jitsu practitioner, and an instagrammer.  I'm a tad boring and uneventful, I'd say.

2. What would you do in life, if you didn't need to work for money? 

If I didn't have to work for money, I would travel around the world, experience a variety of cultures,  and capture shots of amazing places.  I love love love to take pictures, and I'm a sucker for a gorgeous view.  Furthermore, I would probably also be in school to further my education.  Knowledge is power, and it's something no one can ever take away from you.

3. Give us a visual, and fill in the blank: "When I dance, I look like ______!" 

Beyonce (in my head) but in actuality probably a chicken without a head.  For the most part, I just feel the beat of the music and let my body just go with it.

4. How did you hear about theONELIGHTPROJECT?

Initially, I saw theONELIGHTPROJECT hashtag on my friend, Jason's, instagram post.   I had asked him what it meant, and became intrigued when he described it to me.  I later met Kara, (aka founder of OLP),  and the rest is herstory. <<< see what I did right there? =)

5. After being involved and seeing our first video, what does theONELIGHTPROJECT mean to you now and what’s your perspective on the message we are trying to convey?

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hi! I’m Haley. I’m a nineteen year old college student going to school for my nursing degree. I am currently still finishing up my prerequisites, about three more classes to go and I can finally join the nursing program (wish me luck)J. I am probably one of the most forgiving people you will ever meet. My sister Kelsey is my best friend and always be! We are so close and I’m grateful for her always being there for me. I have a cat named Kopa who I absolutely adore and to all who follow me on Instagram, you know what I’m talking about! Haha. I love my life and wouldn’t change anything; otherwise I wouldn’t be the person who I am today.

2. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? 

I would be twenty-two. Considering I got married right when I turned eighteen years old, I appear a lot more mature than any other nineteen year old.

3. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich? 

If I hadn’t seen the movie “Blackfish”, I would’ve probably said a dolphin trainer, but ever since I saw how cruel the sea animals get treated, I guess I would have to say nursing.

4. How did you hear about theONELIGHTPROJECT?

I keep seeing my second family use the hashtag theONELIGHTPROJECT. At first I just kept scrolling through my IG feed, but then noticed it getting increasingly popular and ended up clicking on the link and I was hooked!

5. After being involved and seeing our first video, what does theONELIGHTPROJECT mean to you now and what’s your perspective on the message we are trying to convey?

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Well, I'm a 23 year old golf enthusiast trying to make it in the business after I graduate from the Golf Academy of America. Family over everything! ;)

2. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? 

I would be 26, that seems like a good age...

3. If someone asked you to give them a random piece of advice, what would you say? 

I guess I would probably tell them that if you discipline your mind, the body follows.

4. How did you hear about theONELIGHTPROJECT?

From my family!

5. After being involved and seeing our first video, what does theONELIGHTPROJECT mean to you now and what’s your perspective on the message we are trying to convey?

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a 22 year old college student from Las Vegas, Nevada. I was raised in a very traditional household and I still uphold many of those traditions of a Cradle Catholic and Hispanic. I am very fortunate for those in my life and what I currently have. However, this would have not been possible if it was not for these trials and tribulations that I have been faced with. I am a firm believer that challenges and controversy builds character. It is at that moment of hardship when you truly know who you are as a person, what you value, and how you see the world as. I live inspire and breathe for inspiration.

2. What do you consider your most important event of your life so far? 

The most important event of my life was when I walked out on my father. My father, an alcoholic and methamphetamine addict chose a lifestyle of darkness and deceit over our family in 2001. My parents got divorced and I was manipulated into believing that I would be better off living with him. He fed my mind with ideas of a great future and filled my heart with hate for my mother. Years passed, years filled with poverty, insecurity, drugs, booze, and a fear of death or going hungry. Long story short, one day I decided I had a enough; my father was going through withdrawals and he was violent. Tossing and turning with pupils as wide as nickels, he was mumbling and screaming viciously. He then began threatening me to go get "stuff" for his fix. I knew it was my only chance to get away, to escape this lifestyle, and to live to see a brighter day. I ran away and kept running until I my feet could not do anymore running. I reached a payphone and called my brother and pleaded for help. Several minutes later my mother picked me up, and til this day she is my everything. She has given me life and the tools to build a future for myself. I would not be where I am if it was not for her. This is the most important event of my life.

3. Who currently has the most influence in your life? 

I would have to say my brother. He has guided me through many of my most difficult times and has always been a role model to me. We are so much a like and that is why I can confide in him and trust that he will always have the right words to put me back on my feet.

4. How did you hear about theONELIGHTPROJECT?

I heard about the OLP through a friend I met on Tumblr. It turned out we also attended the same college, so after many conversations we finally met up. It was an awkward dinner, but we eventually broke the ice. Since then we were tight as ever and I can honesty say that I considered a best friend. Thank you Dani for opening me up to such a thing as the OLP!

5. After being involved and seeing our first video, what does theONELIGHTPROJECT mean to you now and what’s your perspective on the message we are trying to convey?

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hello all, my name is Giancarlo Marquez Jr. but I usually just go by Gian (pronounced "John") and I am 25 years young going on 26 years. I entered this world on the 23rd of January in 1988 and a lot has changed since then lol. Well, for starters, I'm a mama's boy and everything that I do, I do in hopes of making my mother proud. I'm passionate about boxing and poetry and I enjoy martial arts movies, dance circles, and reading anything I can get my hands on. My mother tells me I'm Filipino but I truly believe I'm Mexican...

2. If you could sit down with your 15-year-old self, what would you tell him? 

Keep practicing and one day, you'll win your high school talent show with those dance moves. Stay inspired, remain humble and most importantly, FOCUS! And PLEASE join the wrestling team!

3. If you could choose your own life decisions, would you keep the ones you have? 

I wouldn't change a thing. The circumstances and hardships that I faced are what made me the person I am today and I believe that a champion mentality is being able to not only deal with, but OVERCOME the obstacles that one is dealt. Adversity builds character and without struggles, one will not know nor appreciate success.

4. How did you hear about theONELIGHTPROJECT?

I remember scrolling through IG one day and seeing a friend's post with #TheOneLightProject hashtag and me being the curious person that I am, I clicked the tag and the rest was history. A year later, I attend an event at Sevilla's for Kara's birthday and now here we are, enjoying this moment. Lol

5. After being involved and seeing our first video, what does theONELIGHTPROJECT mean to you now and what’s your perspective on the message we are trying to convey?

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

For starters, my Name is Joey Rapan; I was born in La Mirada, Ca, but grew up in Norwalk. I am part Mexican and Part Filipino. I’m 22; going on 23 in a couple weeksJ I am a full time student at Cerritos College, studying Psychology, transferring next spring to either UCI or CSUF. My hobbies are hanging out with my friends, I’m very sociable; I love going out to the movies, bowling, clubs, anything that gets me out of the house lol I’m a huge video games, music and movie nerd. I just love enjoying life and enjoy the company of my dear friends.

2. What are you passionate about? 

Wow, I never really thought to myself “what am I passionate about???” lol well I have a passion for Psychology. I just love learning about why people behave a certain way.  Also, in my field of Clinical psych, I’m passionate about helping others, for example helping those with mental disorders.

3. Music junkie? What is your current 'go-to' station on Pandora? 

Oh I’m a huge music junkie, my Pandora is filled with different stations, different decades and genres; ranges from Metal to hip hop to pop to jazz to oldies. If I had to pick one, my go to would be 80’s station; I’m a 90’s baby, but I LOVE me some 80’s music.

4. How did you hear about theONELIGHTPROJECT?

I heard about it from one of my great friends, Gelin. I would see her IG, and I saw her hashtags, and I asked her about it. She told me about what it meant, and I loved the idea and started doing it.

5. After being involved and seeing our first video, what does theONELIGHTPROJECT mean to you now and what’s your perspective on the message we are trying to convey?