Summer 2008 had a perfect mix of work and play. With that expectation, I began junior year.
Out of the humbio core, and into psych classes. The majority of my classes this year were complete bores. Little mental challenge, much tediousness. Though I have learned less this year than any other academic year, my GPA soared. Interesting correlation, eh?
Living in the black theme house (Ujamaa) was wonderful. It was the first time my dorm felt like a connected community. I never felt outcasted as “that Asian chick who lives in Uj”, though many people expected me to feel uncomfortable.
My roommate and I are uncanningly similar. But we’re dissimilar in such a perfect way that we make each other laugh. The roommate gods looked upon me favorably, and I thank them. Melinda and I will proceed on our next adventure, and complete roll-reversals, at the Asian theme house (Okada).
Ben has had an excruciating year, though I doubt he’d admit it. I am not sure how much I contributed and alleviated the pressures. But now that he’s out, it’s definitely a relief for the both of us!
Maintaining contact with friends will always be a difficult thing. But fortunately, it’s always surprisingly easier than expected to pick things back up again.
The game Risk is such a timetrap. The hours I have spent playing have been intense. I don’t want to calculate how much time was spent, however.
Discovering a passion is awesome. Developing the passion is something even greater. Now that I have a cause behind which I fully stand and am trying to propel, it seems as though I am actually accomplishing something for others. And this feels amazing. This past weekend was Pista Sa Nayon, a celebration of Filipino culture and independence. I discovered the event, planned for it, and executed it smoothly. Jen and I work amazingly well together: managing to trust each other enough that we stay out of each others’ ways and assist each other seamlessly. It felt great to have a project to myself that went well. And now I feel as though I have something I fully own and could display as an example of my abilities.
Outreach is so rewarding. Speaking to people, watching their faces spark with interest or amazement, answering questions. I love it. While the relationships I build with these people are limited, I feel as though I have done a great service for them. And it’s just such an amazing feeling at the end of the (exhausting) day to flip through knowledge surveys and be able to quantify just how many people were reached as a direct result of my efforts.
The complete change the plan for my life was relieving and frightening. But I am so happy to have come to a realization on my own. To have changed my mind, explored options, and found a calling.
I’ve become so much more aware of the world. And despite the tragedies that have become the status quo, I have managed to maintain a sense of optimism. Not blind to the tremendous institutions that require tackling, but encouraged by the fact that my passion against the issues inspire me to believe and act instead of to wallow cynically.
The Obamas are the embodiment of class, determination, and level-headedness. I never really had a sports or artistic figure whom I considered a role model. But I’ve definitely discovered mine now.
I’m not a very cool person. I’ve grown eccentric and socially awkward. I think it is closely related to the decrease in self-consciousness, as well as the development of greater convictions (and ability to stick to these), while welcoming logical debates that can reveal new perspectives to me and potentially influence my beliefs (if they’re not just bullshit).
Responsibility, balance, and contentedness.
