I’m afraid I’m becoming hopelessly delinquent in these posts
– another sign that it’s about time to move on to my next blog, I suppose (that’s
your cue to check out my website for the week). There are still quite a few
things happening in my life – I had my graduation party this past Saturday, for
one, and of course graduation itself is coming up. More than that, though, this
is a time of reflection on the past before stepping into the future. With that
in mind, I’m going to give an overview of the week’s events, and then I will
offer some thoughts on what I’ve learned and skills I’ve gained since coming to
college. Next week I’ll look at how I’ve grown socially and emotionally, and
for my last post, I’ll be looking at where my life is going long-term and how
college helped me figure that out.
But first, this week’s events! Last Sunday, to start off, we
had our church picnic; the food was delicious and the company was good. I also
went over to a friend’s for dinner, and we had a good talk and watched a lot of
YouTube videos. Of course, this past Sunday was Mother’s Day, so over the
course of the week we drove to Austin to see my paternal grandmother and take
her out to eat, and then on Sunday we saw my maternal grandmother and took her
out to eat (this week was not the best as far as diet goes – our family has
newly resolved to be good starting today!).
And of course there was my graduation party this past
Saturday, where the food was, again, excellent, and everyone was sweet enough
to wish me well and give me cards and cash (which will greatly defray the cost
of furnishing my apartment). I’ll see my parents again before long, but I don’t
know when I’ll be back in Texas again to see everyone, so after four years of
coming back every few months to see everyone, it feels like I’m finally off for
good. And I suppose I am.
So, what have I gained over the past four years? I never
feel particularly old when I’m supposed to – during birthdays or graduations or
the like – and my mother assures me that doesn’t change when you get older.
Still, I can tell I’ve grown by looking back at the tearful little freshman
that left home four years ago for parts unknown, and how unlike that I am now.
Not that I don’t still get tearful at times, but I know I’m ready;
I can see the steps ahead of me, and I know I’ll be able to take them. I’m not
entirely sure what will happen in the future, but I know what resources I will
draw on to deal with it, whatever happens. I can step into new places and meet
new people without stressing about it too much, and I know I can learn new
things and take on new projects, and do well at them. I know I can manage my
time and my affairs decently on my own (not that I don’t still call my parents
for advice pretty regularly). In short, I have gained a great deal of
independence and self-confidence, simply by going to new places and doing new
things.
What places and things have those been? Even I forget
sometimes. I’ve studied in Jordan, Jerusalem, and England for extended periods
of time; I’ve been to Spain, Germany, Ireland, France, Taiwan, and Nicaragua. And
in many of those places, I managed to find transportation and hotels and see the
sites without much English. I’ve gone to sea on an aircraft carrier and flown so
many places I probably have the safety instructions memorized.
And what have I gotten done? Well, I’m about to graduate
from Harvard with a dual degree; I’ve taken courses at MIT; I’ve written a
thesis; I’m working towards a Master’s degree in Spanish. I’ve taken classes in
everything from Physics to the Roman Empire, and things I’d never heard of as a
freshman, I now consider common knowledge in my fields. I know how to shoot a
gun; I know how to bench-press; I know the basics of kickboxing. I know how to
drive in the city and in the snow. I’ve dealt with leading people and
especially with leading people in a military context; I know my limits and how
I cope with stress and pressure. I’ve sung a cappella; I’ve marched a platoon. I
read or speak, to varying extents, six languages, and I’m an expert at taxis
and public transportation. I’m in the best shape of my life
physically, and probably mentally and emotionally as well.
If I sound like I’m bragging, I’m sorry; you can just ignore
me. This list is for me as much as for anyone else. I had four years – four years
to take advantage of all the opportunities Harvard offered, four years to
develop into an adult while enjoying the freedom that comes with not having a
job or a career to narrow my horizons, four years to develop, as ROTC puts it,
morally, mentally, and physically, into the young adult I wanted to be. And as
I wrap up those four years, I’d like to be able to assure myself that I have
taken full advantage of my opportunities and my potential, and that I’ve fully
prepared myself to step into the adventure of tomorrow.
Pictures: not as many this week; I wasn't thinking about it. Buuut, I do have a picture of Teek in the bathtub:
Just a couple more weeks to go and I'll be a Harvard alumna!
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