In the middle of the night of her fifth year, living in her family's wealthy home in Rwanda, Josi Marie is woken from her sleep by a ringing telephone. It is a call that will change her life forever. Her mother gathers the children quickly to pack what they can and they quickly flee as civil war and genocide begins to tear their country apart. Their path leads to Zaire, Kenya, and for Josi, eventually New York City where she arrives with twenty-eight dollars and a dream. An emotional story of strength, perseverance, courage, and bracing honesty, Josi's autobiography is an uplifting, inspiring accounting of a fearlessness most of us aspire to but few rarely achieve. Somehow, at twenty-one, Josi finds herself at a crossroads. She feels lost, as if she is scattered, running to stand still. Standing on a rooftop overlooking New York City, her feeling of smallness is unshakeable. It forces her to stop and look deep within for the answers that could possibly give her peace and tranquility. The only thing she knows how to do this is to start at the beginning and put the pieces of her life together, one at a time. In doing so she begins to gain clarity about herself: mistakes she's made, her personality, her passions, and so much more. Accepting herself as she is, with no qualifiers, is the first step in finding her purpose and putting together her whole self. A novel of self-discovery and self-acceptance, Josi Marie's autobiography is a stunning achievement and mesmerizing journey from the harrowing depths of genocide to the rooftops of the American Dream. Through sharing her story she teaches that it is possible to be honest about ourselves and who we are in order to discover, understand, and accept our true selves-flaws and all. As entertaining as it eye-opening, Pieces of Me is a much-needed lesson in how to live a better, more fulfilling, less stressful, and more passionate life.
About the Author: Josi Marie was born in the small Central African country of Rwanda. Moving from one country to another became the norm early in her life during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. After living in numerous countries and experiencing the good and the bad of Central and Eastern Africa, her family moved to the USA in September of 1999. Dayton, Ohio was Josi Marie's new home for the time being, until after her high school graduation. Josi had big dreams and goals, and decided New York City was her future. With her love for adventure, a challenge, and equipped with an ambitious spirit, she moved to Brooklyn, NY at the age of 18 with only $28 to her name, very little support, and with no family or friends in the Big Apple. Learning and growing from each challenge she faced, including homelessness, Josi Marie remained true and tenacious to her decision to experiencing life in New York City and following her dreams. Her naturally bubbly and welcoming personality and her pure hunger for more in life than mediocrity convinced her that she was meant for more. She wanted to make a difference and live with purpose. Her interests include topics pertaining to business, personal development, lifestyle, public speaking, and attaining success. Josi Marie plans to entwine all these elements into her being, learning the most she can, and sharing them with the world using her broadcasting skills. She is passionate about giving back to charity and plans to engage in more charity events as time passes. Josi Marie is determined to be successful, wants to help others be successful, and plans to use all of her talents to leave this world a better place.