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This is a fictional piece. It has been written in first person for more impact.

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Hi, my name is Cheryl (or ... maybe I changed it and some of the details so my parents wouldn't be hurt - you get to determine).

This is a story where I changed my attitude - and my life (and I'm so glad I did)

Growing up I was occasionally the 'perfect' daughter - doing everything right, just as my parents wanted. And occasionally, behind their back, the 'imperfect' daughter.

We were the All-American family, growing up in Cedar Park Texas. This was mostly the Cedar Park Texas of twenty years ago, which was 90% white; 65% evangelical Christian and a strong hold of Republican politics. That is before, any and all of the Austin suburb had an influx of Asians (especially from India); and a huge influx of Hispanics. Today if you compared my last name of Phelps to the last name of Perez in Cedar Park, the Perez name would win 20 to 1 now, but probably 1 to 1 when I was a little girl.

My parents were part of that world. Dad worked for Dell Computers; and Mom was a nurse for the Cedar Park Clinic. My brother was three years older than I was so as I entered 10th grade, he was off at Texas A