Monday, December 10, 2007
Ode to my Alma Mater - 2:40 PM
My favorite pair of jeans bore a hole today. It was barely a year old. Twas is the fragility of life. But there is no time to mourn, no eulogy to be read. I think I've gotten used to things dying on me. But such is life, nothing is for forever.Sleep hasn't been the same since I shipped Bobo (bolster) AKA my sleeping partner in my monster of a suitcase two days ago. I used to think that my bed was too small for the both of us, but now I'm having odd dreams, and an extra pillow will never replace Bobo. But such is life, where perhaps distance will make the heart grow fonder.
My parents and Shiyun flew in last week for my Graduation. I've graduated? YES I HAVE! The culmination of my 3.5 years in college, and 18 years in academia... Over in under less than a 2hour ceremony. The beginning of the next phase of my life is effective hmmm, today. I wanted to reflect on my graduation and to think deep about my next step, but I've been distracted by buffalo wings and too much chocolate. But such is life, where distractions sometimes prove more exciting than the important things in life. I guiltily admit that I not only welcome, but fully embrace distractions.
I'm still waiting for my pot of gold. Its there, I know it... I just haven't found it yet. (too many distractions, remember?) But such is life, where you may have to scale the highest mountain, or swim in the deepest ocean to find the most beautiful thing.
Friday, I say goodbye to East Lansing, where I've called home for the past few years. The place I love to loath yet loath to loath. But I do like it, for its grown on me like kimchi...slowly but steadily. I will miss seeing the seasons and weather change. I will even miss the harsh winter that makes me not want to wake up for an 8AM class, or the dorm food that I pretend to dislike but secretly enjoy.
I will miss my dorm room where I've packed it with my favorite things, and the items that I've bought piece by piece - books, clothes, nail polish, appliances... its actually livable now. I will miss the hospitality office and classes, where I have come to find a home within a sea of 40,000. I will miss Grand River Ave, home to OMI sushi, CVS, the Student Bookstore, and Urban Outfitters. I will miss this sprawling campus, despite the size, is surprisingly cozy and homely.
Above all, I will miss my friends and professors, people I've gotten close to these recent years. People who have added a dash of color to my life, who have taught me, helped me, and offered friendship to me. They have been an important factor, in a very crucial stage of my life, and for that I thank them a lot, a lot.
I will miss all these, but such is life, where good things will ultimately come to an end.
And then I move on, to another adventure, to another unknown. No idea where, but wherever or whatever that is going to be, I know I'm ready. For I've done it before, and I can certainly do it again.
For such is life, where when one door closes, another opens, and you just have to take a deep breath, smile, and take whatever life throws at you.