If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be?

When she was five, she liked school, hated sports and kept to herself for the most part. Hours were spent sketching, but the location didn't matter. She would write crude short stories about her paper friends; and told them how she would become an artist, just like her cousin.

As the years passed, she started to realize that she wasn’t the only one who liked to draw. Instead of bringing her into a world of calmness, drawing only offered frustration. Although she did improve, the progress occurred at the speed of a snowman melting during winter. Entering high school only left her less time to draw, not that she cared. She joined a sport, actually bothered to study, and started considering other careers; ones that were more secure, and made money.

If she could be anyone for a day, she would go back, go back to be the kid that was so confident in her future; the kid that was happiest when she opened a big box filled with nothing but printer paper, so she wouldn’t have to use the recycling anymore; the kid that just wanted to grow up to do what she loved. Yet, when she did, she couldn’t dream anymore. She realized there are so many others that are one hundred times better than she’d ever be. So instead of using that one-day to be a celebrity, or someone she admired, she’d pick the child she had been, for that was a different person.

Today, I became my mother, and the experience was eye-opening. The exhaustion, to wake up early in the morning before the sun has even risen, and make breakfast and lunch for my children when I only had five hours of sleep last night, was overwhelming.

Next, trying to load the washing machine with laundries but couldn’t because my eye lids were threatening to drop down and blacken my vision. Later on, dragging my heavy legs, I went to the grocery store to buy the supplies that are running out in my house. When I come back with bags of groceries, I would need to start to think about what I should cook for dinner when my children come back from school.

Later on, after I cooked dinner when my kids came back from school, I stood in the kitchen, with aching legs, trying not to let my head fall into the bubbly dish water in the kitchen sink. Finally, after helping my children with homework and they had all went to bed, I still had some bills to sort, and some planning to do for the following day.

The moment my head was in contact with my pillow, my eyes are closed and I went into a deep slumber before I can even reflect on the day’s events.

“Lights, Camera, Action!”

I’m sure we have all dreamed of being extremely rich, famous and talented at least once in our lives. That’s why if I could be anyone for a day I would undoubtedly pick the intelligent, beautiful actress, Nina Dobrev.

The day would begin by driving over to the set of The Vampire Diaries, my all-time favorite show. I would automatically be given the star treatment with hair and make-up, along with eager assistants by my side. Then I would be greeted by the other cast members. My mind would go ecstatic knowing that my idols and celebrity crushes were standing right before me. However, there would be no time for being star struck because the filming would then start.

The scenes would flow perfectly, where I would be able to confidently show off my acting skills and sink into the complex character. Shortly after the exhilarating actress experience, my boyfriend, Ian Sommerhalder, would whisk me away on a shopping spree to the most prestigious stores. Afterwards, he would escort me to a fancy dinner out at one of the most exclusive restaurants in L.A.

Before the end of this magnificent, unforgettable day, I would explore Nina’s mansion, taking a dip in the exotic pool, watching a movie in the cozy theater, and even bowling in the private bowling alley.

Suddenly, the day would be over and all I would be left with are the sweet memories of my day as Nina Dobrev.

I gaze imperiously at the golden African savannah surrounding me, craning my long, graceful neck as I reach for yet another leaf. I amble over to another tree, lifting nimble hooves over crackling grasses. And so continues my daily, ceaseless quest for food.

Golden rays of sun blanket my brown and yellow spotted fur. I am never cold, I who am the tallest of all creatures here. A crackling in the brush disturbs my meal, and my long legs break into a loping run, easily outdistancing any threats.

Finding another tree, I resume my perpetual feast. But I’m not tall. Or always warm. Or even graceful. And I can’t eat all day. But I could, for one day, I would be a giraffe.

If I could become another entity for just one day, I would choose to be one of the many suffering children in Kenya, Africa.

I realize that I take too many things for granted, when in fact I have not done anything great to deserve such good upbringing at birth. I would choose to live without fresh water, proper nourishment, or shoes for a day.

I would bear the task of carrying a heavy water jug full of murky water every day, and walk the two-hour hike to and from the well closest to our home each morning. I would not have the privileges of brushing my teeth before I sleep or washing my hands before I eat a meal.

I desire to experience these things, because I believe hardships make a person stronger and more compassionate towards others. I will be able to fully appreciate and be thankful for the provisions I receive in my country.

I believe that after I live as a child in Kenya, I will be more motivated to help those in impoverished and developing countries in the future, and thus become a better person who can give back to others in the world.

Above the noise of constant traffic, the blare of construction, and the dizzying, overwrought atmosphere of modern-day city life lies the possibility of travelling to a time where ladies in puffy ballgowns and men in feathery powdered wigs listen intently to the textured music of...the prodigy. The virtuoso. The accomplished musician who wrote his first symphony at age four. The person whom I want to be for a delicious, dream-fulfilling day: Mozart.

What is a day? Is it the arching movement of the elusive sun, or the creation of melodies that flow like crystal-clear water; water that tinkles and unifies to roar throughout the opera halls? Droplets of notes form rushing rivers of weaving, seamless harmonies. The audience gasps as, with a flick of a wrist, lyrical tunes become fanciful, wispy motifs. Every line runs through several octaves, like a hasty serving girl running up and down the stairs. Flowing with strength, beauty, and the makings of a talented artist, "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" will be performed with the prestigious audience crying, "Encore, encore!"

Standing in front of a cheering crowd after knowing you have achieved something that unifies grace and power and performing it perfectly for the multitude of elegant nobility would leave anyone breathless and exhilarated. Standing in front of that crowd would probably be the best feeling in my life. I would sense that warm feeling of happiness; but this time, I would feel it as the honoured Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

It’s no secret that conflicts befall families, because of the protective nature of parents. I, for one, have had countless arguments with my parents, over simple matters such as exhausting money on clothes, and more complicated ones such as violating curfew.

Sometimes I am stubborn, and I refuse to accept their reasoning; but other times, I am more lenient, and I see the justifications in their decisions. Nevertheless, this constant teeter-tottering over who’s right-who’s wrong, can maybe be put to a standstill if I could enter the minds’ of either one of my parents.

I’d really love to rummage through their hard-pressed past – the ones that shaped them into the strict, caring, honest parents they are today. Why they obsess over being prim and proper, rather than the latest outrageous, scant fashion trends, and why they encourage broadening knowledge in academic fields, rather than knowledge in societal gossip, would no longer be a mystery.

Moreover, I’d not only experience the genuine concern they feel towards their children, but the frustration that they too endure every time I lash out at the world. One day seems brief, but doubtless, the amount of insight on sacrifices my parents make for our family would be just enough for me to rethink twice the next time I decide to make ensuing demands.

If one day, I were to feel their heartbeats, then perhaps my mind would be renewed with a new degree of long overdue, merited respect for the ones who care for me.

If I could be someone else for a day, I would be a farmer in Ireland. I would be someone who knows the land better than I know the people in my life. I would work my land and tend my animals and not worry about the troubles of city life. If I could be that someone for the rest of my life, I would.

Cue the heavy breathing. Place the opaque, black mask over top of my head. Whip the long, intimidating cape behind my back. Walk swiftly and briskly down the halls of Death Star toward my army of Stormtroopers. I am Darth Vader.

Nobody gets in my way. As I approach my command, everyone stops and stares. I am in complete control and those around me watch my every move. I have made some enemies but it does not matter. They only fuel, me and my unwavering power.

Through the force, which I have mastered, I am capable of aanything. With the help of my light saber, I can take anyone who dares to challenge me down. In my past life, I was simply Anakin Skywalker. That is no longer. Although I have turned to the dark side, I have never felt more alive.

When I finally meet my children, Luke and Leia, I will say to my son, "Luke, I am your father," and after that, I will feel complete.

Going away from the trend, I would not choose to be anyone rich or famous. Don’t get me wrong, being Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie for a day would definitely be an amazing experience but why not choose someone invisible. Someone who has a harder life than I do. Someone that has trouble getting by as easily as everyone else. It definitely would not be the most glamorous experience but it would give me great insight and appreciation. I woud learn to understand how people must adjust to the hardships around them and what risks they have to take to survive. I would also learn to appreciate how easy my life is compared to most people’s. Just being in the shoes of someone less fortunate in life than myself, would give me a whole new view of the world. It’ll make me realize the blessings I have and how privelaged my life is. Walking through the cold streets, freezing to the bone, trying in vain to find somewhere safe and warm. Asking those around me for help in any small way they can. It’s something, for some strange reason, I want to experience to make my normal life more understanding of those around me. I think it’ll be a tough yet insightful experience for me.